Six of the best for undefeated Tigers

Man-of-the-match Adam Taylor and Doug Clarkson netted twice during the rout in the NIHL North Cup at Telford Ice Rink. Further goals from Warren Tait and Jonathan Weaver ensured the Tigers’ eased to a comfortable victory on Saturday night. Coach Tom Watkins said: “It was a good result and I was pleased for Denis getting the shutout. He thoroughly deserved it after back stopping us in the second period when we played a bit flat. Adam Taylor played a heck of game and I was pleased with our special team.

“We were 100 per cent on the penalty kill and 75 per cent on the power play, which are very high numbers.

“We can’t shut off though. We got outplayed in the second period but rebounded in the third and upped our level.”

Tigers remain unbeaten in the cup following previous wins against Blackburn Hawks, 4-2, and Solway Sharks, 6-1. Billingham came into the game top of the cup table, two points ahead of Telford having played three more games than Tigers.

But it was the home side that dominated the first period, opening the scoring in the second minute when Tait’s shot was saved by James Flavell with his stick, only for the puck to fly in the air and hit a defender, rebounding into the net. Tait was given credit for the goal as the last Tigers’ player to touch the puck. Tigers had numerous chances to increase the lead, including a glorious chance for Doug Clarkson who missed the goal with a wrist shot from close range.Tigers second goal came on 13 minute when Taylor showed superb stick handling skills to beat a defender and place a precise shot low into the net. Shortly after, Billingham’s Jack Emerson took a hooking penalty giving Tigers their first power play of the night.

And they took full advantage of the extra man with Weaver firing a shot home.

The second period saw Billingham in much better form and it became a more even game.

Early in the period, Billingham’s captain Michael Elder was sent clear one on one with Tigers’ net minder Denis Bell, but Elder’s shot was well wide of the goal.

Tigers’ captain Jason Silverthorn then went clear at the other end but his shot was saved by Flavell.

Billingham’s Kevin Boyd then had a good chance but Bell saved with his blocker.

Shortly after, Chris Sykes was sent clear with a pass from the Billingham defensive zone, but Bell was again quick to react making a good save to maintain Tigers’ three goal lead at the end of the period.

Tigers scored their fourth goal just after the start of the third period.

Clarkson’s initial shot was saved but he was first to the rebound and tapped the puck over the line. Tigers’ Joe Aston was then given a match penalty for fighting and ejected from the game, giving Billingham a five minute power play.

Tigers managed to kill off the penalty and came close to scoring when Tait managed to battle into the Billingham defensive zone but his shot was saved.

Some superb passing by Tigers went unrewarded as Ricky Plant found Tait after some excellent stick handling and Tait’s wrist shot struck the cross bar.

Tigers were then given a five on three power play when Michael Bowman and Edgar Protchenko were given penalties.

At the start of the power play, Weaver and Clarkson exchanged passes and Clarkson hammered a powerful shot from the right circle, which flew past Flavell for the fifth goal and then .

As the game headed towards its conclusion Tigers were given a further power play when Elder was given an interference penalty.

Clarkson and Weaver combined again, this time Clarkson passed to Weaver smashed an unstoppable shot into the net for the sixth goal.

In the last minute of the game, Bell was called upon for the final time when Kevin Boyd was sent clear one on one, but Bell pulled off a terrific stick save to maintain his shut out. Tigers’ win puts them top of the North Cup table after three consecutive wins in the competition.