Hexagon Telford Tigers travelled to Hull to take on the Seahawks who held a perfect record so far this season. Tigers had won in overtime at home the previous day against Raiders and were facing a Seahawks team that had won all three of their previous games.
Ricky Plant was added to the list of players unavailable for the game and the team coach was late arriving at the rink due to traffic on the way to Hull, forcing the start of the game to be delayed.
A close opening period saw only one goal scored and that belonged to the hosts. With Declan Balmer serving an interference penalty Tigers had a power play advantage but conceded a goal. Emil Svec broke away to score and end the period with Hull ahead by a single goal.
The game was played on the edge with both teams finishing their checks and a few flash points that threatened to spill over. Bobby Chamberlain and Deakan Fielder both dropped the gloves and were given five minute penalties for fighting.
Tigers equalised midway through the second period with Fin Howells sending a pass to Vladimir Luka who smashed the puck past Jordan McLaughlin in the Hull goal. Hull’s Jordan Fisher was then given a game penalty for fighting after throwing punches at Joe Aston who did not respond.
Early in the third period, Tigers had their first lead of the game when Scott McKenzie skated through the Hull defence and slammed the puck into the roof of the net to put Tigers 2-1 ahead.
Some remarkable defending by Telford and mainly Brad Day kept Hull out until three minutes from the end of regulation time. But finally after pressuring the Tigers goal for much of the period, the Seahawks were level. Chamberlain scoring to send the game to overtime.
After a scoreless extra period, thanks again to Day’s heroics, the contest went to a penalty shoot out.
McKenzie scored first for Tigers and with Hull’s Bobby Young the only other scorer from the first five takers for each team, the shootout went to sudden death. Luka stepped up for Tigers and scored leaving Brock Bartholomew needing to score to keep Hull in the shoot out. Bartholomew missed giving Tigers the win and a fantastic four point haul over the weekend.
Final Score: Hull Seahawks 2 Hexagon Telford Tigers 3 (after Penalty Shoot Out).
Scorers: Vladimir Luka and Scott McKenzie.
Man of the match: Brad Day.
After the game Head Coach Tom Watkins, commented, “What an effort, they don’t ask how, just ask how many! We hung on in there at times and Brad (Day) backstopped us to a big win. The team dug deep for one another. I’m really enjoying coaching this group, they are a first class group of people who are buying in and playing for each other. In three weeks we’ve built a very good team spirit, a strong bond. We’re missing some key players right now but we are playing with a lot of heart and commitment and as a coach I can’t ask for any more than that.”
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