Autocraft Telford Tigers faced off against NIHL National League rivals Swindon Wildcats in the second challenge game of the weekend against the side from Wiltshire. Telford had lost the previous evening 4-1 and were looking to improve on their performance in front of their own fans.
Tigers remained without Lucas Price, Zachary Yokoyama and Danny Rose but added Taylor Stanton and Max Soden to the line up.
Tigers were behind after five minutes when a shot from Ryan Wells was tipped over net minder Matty Bloor’s shoulder by Swindon player coach Aaron Nell. Five minutes later a low shot from Reed Sayers beat Bloor low down to double the visitors lead. Swindon scored a third goal in the final minute of the opening period when Nell scored his second of the game from close range. Tigers went into the break three goals behind after a lacklustre first period.
The second period wasn’t much of an improvement as chances for Telford were few and far between, with Scott McKenzie going closest but his deflected shot went wide of the Swindon goal. The Wildcats added a fourth goal midway through the game when Chris Jones got the final touch to the puck during a goalmouth scramble.
A penalty heavy third period saw both teams take trips to the penalty box but nothing further in the way of scoring to leave the home side well beaten and saw visiting net minder Tyler Perre record a thirty save shut out.
Telford will need to regroup ahead of the final two preseason games next weekend after conceding eight goals over the weekend with only one goal scored.
Final Score: Autocraft Telford Tigers 0 Swindon Wildcats 4.
Scorers: None.
Man of the match: Taylor Stanton.
After the game Head Coach Tom Watkins, commented, “We didn’t have the jump or chemistry we have seen at practice this last week but this is why we have these preseason fixtures.
It was hard to get quality scoring chances or speed on our transition which I’m sure we will improve on but that’s also a credit to Swindon who have some high end quality with plenty of offensive punch and players on the back end who the move the puck well.
We have to do the basics to a higher standard and stick to the process. All areas that we will address and work hard to get everyone on the same page.”
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