Autocraft Telford Tigers returned to home ice after a disappointing loss on the road to Leeds Knights. After a 5-1 defeat in Yorkshire, Telford needed to shown some fight and get back to winning ways.
Telford had lost import forward David Thomson through injury and were also without Ross Connolly but made a bright start to the game and were ahead in the fifth minute with a power play goal. Rhodes Mitchell-King’s shot from the blue line beat Swindon net minder Renny Marr to put Telford in front.
Early in the second period, Telford doubled the lead. Mitchell-King sent a shot in on goal and although Marr saved the initial shot, the rebound was turned in by Harry Ferguson.
Shortly after, the lead was extended further James Smith led a 2-on-1 breakaway and made a perfect pass across the ice to Tom Byrne who cooly shot over Marr’s glove to give the home side a three goal lead.
Swindon struck back with a power play goal. With Scott McKenzie in the penalty box for slashing, Swindon’s Aaron Nell scored. Tigers ended the second period with their lead cut to two but playing well.
Early in the third period, a further Swindon power play resulted in another goal. Glen Billing turning the puck home from close range. A few minutes later the game was tied as Swindon scored again from close range with Edgars Bebris getting the final touch.
With the game finely poised, Swindon turned up the pressure on the Tigers goal and eventually it paid off. With just thirty seconds left on the clock, Nell scored to win the game and seal another disappointing defeat for Tigers.
Final Score: Autocraft Telford Tigers 3 Swindon Wildcats 4.
Scorers: Rhodes Mitchell-King, Harry Ferguson and Tom Byrne.
Man of the match: Rhodes Mitchell-King.
After the game Head Coach Tom Watkins, commented, “For two periods I thought we played very smart, very organised and managed the details well. It was important we started well for our belief and got ourselves into a strong position after the second period but the third period we struggled. We weren’t able to play as direct or as physical as the previous two periods and ended up defending very deep instead of up the ice.
The puck was able to get to the front of our net too easily and to give up three goals in the third period on the doorstep was frustrating. Three tap ins where we don’t control bodies or sticks. We know how to defend those situations, all moments we focus on in video sessions and on the ice at practice.”
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