Shropshire Star

Telford Tigers go down fighting in final

Head coach Tom Watkins was proud of Telford Tigers’ heart – but bemoaned a slow start that cost them the chance to lift the NIHL North Cup on Saturday.

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The Tigers won the second leg with Sheffield Steeldogs 3-1 at Telford Ice Rink, only to go down 7-5 on aggregate after conceding five times in the opening two periods of Friday night’s first leg.

But Watkins was pleased to see the way his side bounced back from a chastening defeat.

“What a great game of hockey,” he said. “We lost the tie in the first two periods (of the first leg), but showed we wouldn’t go away without a fight.

“I’m proud of the guys. We played with huge heart and desire – desire I haven’t seen from this group before.

“We were physical all night, we took the game to Sheffield for 60 minutes, but were guilty of not burying some good chances or capitalising on our five-on-three late in the game, but – credit to Sheffield – they bent but didn’t break.”

Tigers were able to add James Smith to their second-leg line-up, along with Jed Moreland, Alex Blake, Fin Howells and Callum Bowley.

Tigers also added Slough Jets’ netminder Matt Smital to the roster after receiving dispensation from the league to play him due to Tigers’ lack of available netminders.

However, Sheffield moved five goals clear when they grabbed the first goal of the second leg in fortuitous circumstances.

Corey Goodison’s attempted clearance from alongside the Tigers’ goal hit a Sheffield player and bounced into the path of the unmarked Nathan Salam, who scored.

After regrouping at the interval, the Tigers clawed their way back into the final during the second period – injecting new belief into the home support.

First, Joe Aston equalised from close range and then Scott McKenzie netted for Tigers with a powerful shot to give Tigers the lead on the night. As the period reached the final few seconds, Jonathan Weaver scored with a stunning shot into the top corner from a tight angle to give Tigers a 3-1 lead on the night and reduce Sheffield’s aggregate lead to two.

However, the Steeldogs’ goal led a charmed life in the third period and Telford could not make any further inroads.

Watkins added: “I thought Callum Bowley and James Smith did a great job for us and looked very comfortable stepping up to play in a final which had a lot of pace.

“Matt Smital was simply outstanding. He looked very comfortable, composed and calm under pressure, stepping up a league and being thrown into a tough situation.

“He gave us a platform on which to build and have us a chance to win.

“We couldn’t have asked anymore from him and are very grateful to the Slough Jets.”