Phoenix is coming off of their first win on the season, and faces the visiting Long Beach Bombers this weekend.  The Bombers played a lone Friday night game last weekend, picking up the win in Valencia.  The score was 5-2, but included two Long Beach empty netters in the game’s final 42 seconds. 

Looking Back: October 10-12 vs. Las Vegas

The Knights had their home opener last weekend as they welcomed the Las Vegas Storm to the Valley.  Coming off a rough season opening sweep at the hands of the Ontario Avalanche, Phoenix was looking to get things back on track. 

In the Friday game, the Knights jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first and things appeared to be headed in the right direction for head coach Tyler Ramsey’s squad.  The Storm had other ideas.  They “stormed” back for 3 in the 2nd and took the one goal lead into the 3rd.  Phoenix was out-shot 16-2 in the final period of regulation, but got goals on both shots.  Down 4-3 late in the period, Ramsey pulled Luke Stripp for the extra attacker.  And with 9.1 seconds left, it paid off.  The puck found its way onto the stick of Knights leading goal-scorer Jordan Cullum, who tied it up and sent the game into overtime.  Less than a minute into OT, a defensive zone turnover ended up going to Beau Ricketts who sent a shot past Stripp for the game-winner.

The following night saw a lot less drama as the Storm took the early lead and never looked back.  The Knights were 0-4 on the power play and 3-5 on the penalty kill, which was their worst special teams performance of the series.

In the Sunday matinee, Knights fans were in for something special.  Phoenix jumped out to a 5-0 lead and went on to win 6-1 to get into the win column for the first time this season.  Phoenix scored 5 goals in the 2nd led by Brynton Macnab who tallied 2 goals and 2 assists in the win.  Between the pipes, Rett Rook made spectacular saves, including rejecting multiple breakaway opportunities.  For the second consecutive game, the Knights outshot their opponent, after failing to do so in their first 4 contests.  Phoenix was 3-7 with the man advantage while killing off all 7 power play chances by the Storm.

Players To Watch:

Long Beach:

1. Tomas Nemeth (4G, 3A in 4GP) – Possibly the best scorer in the league.  Nemeth finished last year with 105 points (30G, 75A) and while his partner in crime Filip Martinec has left to play pro in Slovakia, Nemeth looks to be continuing to fill up the score sheet.  In last year’s sweep of the Knights, Nemeth had 3 goals and 3 assists.

2. Patrik Johansson (4G, 3A in 7GP) – This Swedish forward is Nemeth’s new line-mate on the Bombers’ top line.  He’s playing his first year in the U.S. after coming from the J20 SuperElit league in Sweden, which is the country’s top junior league.

3. Amir Burguev (0G, 3A in 1GP) – He’s a 6’2” defenseman who assisted on 3 of Long Beach’s 5 goals in Valencia last Friday.  And you might want to get used to him.  He’s only 17 years old and playing his first year of juniors.

Phoenix:

1. Brynton Macnab (2G, 4A in 6GP) – Macnab led the team in scoring in Sunday’s win over Las Vegas with 2 goals and 2 assists.  The Knights will need continued offensive production from Macnab as the season continues.

2. Robert Crisci (2G, 2A in 6GP) – Captain Crisci arose to the challenge of Las Vegas’ Richard Prekop when the two dropped the gloves last Sunday.  If his team needs a spark this weekend, look to #27 to be physical.

3. Dylan Farmer (2G, 5A in 6GP) – When Farmer’s on the ice, you know you’ll get 100% out of him.  He will need to win face-offs this weekend to keep the puck away from a potentially dangerous offensive team in the Bombers.