Autocraft Telford Tigers travelled to Milton Keynes for the first of back to back games against the Lightning who sat top of the league table before the weekend’s games commenced. Lightning had lost the second leg of the National League Cup semi final on Thursday after being three goals ahead but conceded five straight goals to lose to Romford. Telford had their own issues with a lengthy injury list and having lost five consecutive games. But there was a welcome return from injury for Devon Skoleski.
Tigers fell behind in the fifth minute after Rio Grinell-Parke scored for the hosts. The rest of the period was close and both teams had chances to score but the first period ended with Lightning holding a narrow lead.
The second period featured much of the same as seen in the first period with Tigers unable to score but limiting the home side’s chances. A power play chance for Milton Keynes with five minutes of the second period remaining saw a second goal scored. Harry Gulliver finished off a Ben Solder pass to double the lead for the Lightning.
Three minutes later Tigers gave themselves a chance in the game with a power play goal of their own. Danny Rose’s slap shot beat Lightning net minder Will Kerlin to get the visitors on the score board and set up the third period nicely.
With the next goal in the contest crucial, it would be Milton Keynes that extended their lead. Gulliver scoring his second goal of the game.
With Tigers forced to take more chances defensively to try and get back in the game, they conceded two late goals to end the contest. Tim Wallace added a fourth goal and was closely followed by a fifth goal from Grinell-Parke to seal another disappointing result for Tigers who lose a sixth consecutive game.
Final Score: Milton Keynes Lightning 5 Autocraft Telford Tigers 1.
Scorers: Danny Rose.
Man of the match: Danny Rose.
After the game Head Coach Tom Watkins, commented, “I thought for the most part we did a good job, despite giving them plenty of opportunity on the power play we managed to keep their top players off the score sheet and I think if you do that you give yourself a shot but frustratingly we give up two goals to their fourth line. After 40 minutes, I felt we had been the better team and should have got ourselves ahead after a very strong second period where we created several good chances and kept them to just 5 shots.
In the third period it didn’t feel like we were moving our feet as well as we had all game. We ended on our heels with not enough pressure in certain areas.”
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