Beauregard: Hot Streak

You wouldn’t even notice it for most players in the league. But for a player who is on course to shatter the 100-point mark, any night when David Beauregard fails to get on the score sheet appears strange.

So strange in fact that four games passed by recently without Beauregard lighting the lamp. By his high standards, it was a slump. But it didn't last long.

“I was expecting a small slump at some time, but in my slump I had chances to score so I wasn’t so worried,” Beauregard told the Phoenix game programme.

“I know that teams are really trying to stop our line. And it’s getting harder and harder, but I wasn’t expecting to keep this pace all year long. I knew that if I kept working hard and kept my confidence high I would find a way to get my game back.”

After he ended his four-game drought in the Challenge Cup semi-final against Basingstoke on February 4, Beauregard started another scoring streak that has seen him edge closer and closer to Joe Tallari's 55-goal haul from last year.

In the last six games heading into the weekend double-header against the Bison, Beauregard has tallied nine times, including a marker in the Knockout Cup win against Newcastle.

“Our line had a rough month, but we’ve been trying hard and a slump can happen at any time,” Beauregard continued.

“If teams try to stop you more than normally then you have to work harder and try new stuff to get back.”

Off-Colour Commentary?

Just like the players on the ice, David Simms and Brett Clouthier will be putting rivalries aside in the EIHL All Star game.

In Thursday’s star-studded event at the Coventry Skydome, which will be televised this weekend on Sky Sports Xtra, Manchester Phoenix enforcer Clouthier will trade verbal jabs with play-by-play man Simms in a comedy double act.

Brent Pope, who commentated on the World Junior Championships for Eurosport, and presenter Nick Rothwell will also be on hand to cover the action.

Fans can expect to hear plenty of funny remarks from Clouthier, who has been impressive on Sky Sports TV with his quick wit.

“I have to say that Brett Clouthier has been one of the more humorous colour commentators that we’ve had,” Simms told skysports.com.

“And that’s because he’s six-foot-five and tough enough to get away with it.”

Clouthier wasn’t selected to the game, but his wish to do commentary was granted and he’ll be one of several Phoenix players at the event.

His team-mates Kenton Smith, Adam Walker and David Beauregard will line-up for the North, but Manchester’s player-coach Tony Hand was forced to pull out due to a hectic schedule.

Other All Star selections include Team GB playmaker Greg Chambers, Newcastle’s standout goaltender Andrew Verner and Sheffield defenceman Rod Sarich.

“I’ll be surprised if we don’t see at least 15 goals,” Simms said.

“There should be some unbelievable skills on show because there is some serious talent on both rosters. It won’t be an intense battle, but that’s not what All Star games are about – they’re about skill.”

You can catch the game on Sky Sports TV at the following times:

Fri 20th, 7pm, Sky Sports Xtra

Sat, 21st, 2am, Sky Sports Xtra

Sat, 21st, 6am, Sky Sports Xtra

French talks Playoffs

Elite League Director of Hockey Andy French has told skysports.com that the playoff finals are the spectacle of European ice hockey.

Tickets have gone on sale for the final four weekend, which takes place in Nottingham on April 4th and 5th.

The Nottingham Arena will again host two semi-finals on the Saturday before a junior international between England and Scotland and the playoff final on the Sunday afternoon.

The Elite League have announced that ticket prices will remain the same as last season and French said that he expected another great weekend.

“The playoff finals at Nottingham get huge crowds and always have,” French told skysports.com.

“It’s a big success. It’s very difficult to get tickets for it year in, year out and it’s very successful. It’s hard work but it is good. I enjoy it after doing a few playoff final weekends behind the scenes.”

Previously the road to the final four weekend involved two groups of four with the top two in each group qualifying. However, in recent years that has been replaced by a knockout format with quarter finals ties contested over two legs.

“I think we went to this new format and it’s created, in my opinion, a situation that’s way better than when we used to have the groups,” French added.

“I think it creates more interest for the fans and each club should get full houses (for the home playoff quarter final) especially if the first game is close.

“The next week (in Nottingham) you’re at what’s become the spectacle of Europe.”

The winning team last year was the Sheffield Steelers, who defeated Cardiff and Coventry en route to collecting their second playoff championship of the Elite League era.

The Steelers are the only team to win the trophy twice since the formation of the EIHL with Nottingham, Newcastle and Coventry also tasting victory.