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Monday, September 01, 2008, 11:57
And if last night's exhibition game against Manchester Phoenix is a sample of what the fans can expect in the upcoming season, I don't think they will be disappointed.
Corey Neilson's new-look team bristles with speed and skill, power and energy and once it gets into its stride, with two more key players to come in, we could be in for a rip-roaring season at the NIC.
Yes, I've said that before but it has to be remembered that before Panthers traipsed to Altrincham, they'd endured (or should that be survived?) a gruelling two-day team-building exercise with the Army.
Played at a fast pace throughout, it was as good an exhibition game you'll see, with the action to-ing and fro-ing from first whistle until last.
But no doubt both sides will tighten up considerably when the real action starts next weekend.
Neilson was very upbeat afterwards and you couldn't blame him with all his new players living up to expectations.
He said: "The guys are very down, but I'm up and can draw many positives out of the game.
"We made a lot of mistakes, I know, but that was not totally unexpected and they are the key issues we will be focussing on this week.
"But we have great speed and you could see the attacking promise this team has.
"Doing two jobs for the first time is also something I will also have to get used to.
"I was very impressed with the young lads who came in and James Ferrara did well in his first game in defence.
"David Clarke had five or six shots that were well saved and Bergy (Kevin Bergin) had some great set-ups.
"All in all it was a good night. We did enough to have won and it was a big learning curve for us all. That's the major plus."
Neilson's starting attack was Bruce Richardson centring David Clarke and Kevin Bergin, which remained the only constant line all night.
With Neilson rolling the lines and giving his young Brits plenty of ice time, Rob Lachowicz was paired with speedster Brendan Cook and Matthew Myers while Sam Bullas was on the line with Marc Levers and Johan Molin.
Dan Tessier is likely to be on the Molin line when he arrives, with Jade Galbraith replacing Lachowicz.
In defence, skipper Danny Meyers nursed James Ferrara through his first game at the back, with Neilson paired with young Joe Graham and Nick Toneys with Rumun Ndur.
Tom Norton and James Neil also got to see plenty of ice-time.
Although No.1 goaltender Davis Parley dressed, he sat on the bench to give back-up Geoff Woolhouse three periods.
The two refereeing system also worked well, though it was hardly a game to worry the officials unduly.
Panthers were first out of the blocks with the speedy Brendan Cook bursting through to score after just 50 seconds, Graham and Lachowicz with the assists.
But when Phoenix hit penalty problems, Panthers failed to capitalise and Adam Walker levelled short-handed (7.54).
Two minutes later the Brit was on the mark again before veteran player-coach Tony Hand, who finished with four assists, made it 3-1 (14.01).
It was Panthers turn in the second period with Neil on the spot to turn in a rebound (24.55) and the gritty Richardson equalising with a smart power-play goal (30.52).
Nathan Ward put Phoenix back in front two minutes later only for Molin to get one past Stephen Murphy (37.50) after having two shots beaten away in quick succession.
In the final period, Manchester's power-play finally got off the mark with No.5 from Alex Dunn after Richardson had hobbled off hurt while bravely blocking a shot.
The goals kept on coming and Clarke – who was finding space but not his usual accuracy all night – leveled again for Panthers (49.37).
But Ward and then David Beauregard wrapped it up for the home side in the final ten minutes.
MATCH FACTS
Manchester 7, Panthers 5
(3-1, 1-3, 3-1)
Bergin 0+3; Richardson 1+1; Cook, Clarke, Neil, Molin 1+0; Lachowicz, Levers, Meyers, Graham,. Neilson 0+1
Shots on goal: Manchester 24, Panthers 34 (9/11, 6/14, 9/9)
Penalty minutes: Manchester 14, Panthers 14 (8/6, 4/4, 2/4)
Panthers man of the match: Bruce Richardson.
Referees: Paul Staniforth, John Kerry.
Attendance: 1,000 (est)
Corey Neilson
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