Clarkson Stars in Tigers’ Road Victory. Hexagon Telford Tigers 1 took a long road trip to Billingham to take on the Stars on Sunday night. Tigers had won the previous evening 12-1 against Blackburn Hawks and had climbed to third in the league table. Tigers were again without Warren Tait, Denis Bell, Joe Hazeldine and the suspended Brodie Jesson.
Tigers opened the scoring in the 5th minute after Billingham’s Edgar Protchenko was awarded a penalty for unsporting conduct, meaning Tigers would have an early power play chance. Tigers almost conceded a short handed goal but Billingham’s chance was saved by Sam Gospel in the Tigers’ goal. As the power play was ending, Andy McKinney and Doug Clarkson combined to set up Jonathan Weaver for a long range slap shot that flew past Billingham net minder James Flavell into the net. Tigers ended the period firmly in the driving seat as Clarkson scored with a minute remaining with an unstoppable wrist shot which gave Flavell no chance.
The 2nd period was only 43 seconds old when Adam Taylor used his speed to break away from the Billingham defence and score past Flavell with a precise finish. In the 24th minute, Danny Rose took a delay of game penalty giving Billingham their first power play of the game. But despite being a man down, Tigers would score the next goal. Clarkson sending McKenzie clear on goal to beat Flavell low down to give Tigers their fourth goal of the game. As the game reached the half way stage, Tigers scored a fifth through Jason Silverthorn, a goal that saw Billingham replace Flavell with back up net minder Mark Watson. Tigers continued their dominance scoring on their first shot against Watson, Clarkson scoring his second of the night for Tigers’ sixth. Tigers then scored further goals from Silverthorn and Taylor to end the period 8-0 ahead.
At the start of the 3rd period Tigers changed net minders with Gospel being replaced by Tom Hovell. Six minutes into the final period Billingham’s Michael Elder scored a power play goal after Dan Mitchell had been given a delay of game penalty. As the game petered out, Tigers added two further goals, Clarkson completed his second hat trick of the weekend followed by the final goal of the game from U18 player, Jed Moreland. Tigers’ win rounds off a four point weekend in which the team scored twenty two goals.
Final Score: Billingham Stars 1 Hexagon Telford Tigers 10.
Scorers: Doug Clarkson (3), Jason Silverthorn (2) , Adam Taylor (2) Jonathan Weaver, Jed Moreland and Scott McKenzie.
Man of the match: Doug Clarkson.
Result Details:
After the game coach Tom Watkins commented, “The guys were clinical in front of goal and competed all night, away from the puck which is good to see. Defensively we were good and didn’t give Billingham any opportunity to establish themselves in our defensive zone. It’s another four point weekend for the team.”
Hexagon Telford Tigers 1 return to play at Telford Ice Rink Saturday 15th December at 19:00 in the NIHL Moralee Conference against Nottingham Lions. Hexagon Telford Tigers 2 are next in home action at Telford Ice Rink on Sunday 16th December at 18:00 in the NIHL Laidler Conference against Blackburn Hawks 2.
For details of all future fixtures, check out the Tigers fixture list and www.telfordtigers.net/tickets for ticket information.
