Autocraft Telford Tigers played their final home game before the festive break against a team they are currently chasing for a playoff spot. With only the top eight teams qualifying for the end of season playoffs, Tigers who were sat in ninth place at the start of play, were already six points off Solway and Raiders who were level on the same points in seventh and eighth place. Both teams also have played three games less than Telford.
A heavy defeat in Sheffield the previous evening saw Tigers convincingly beaten despite scoring six goals.
A closely contested first period saw Devon Skoleski put the home side in front with a deflection off Ryan Leese’s shot. Liam Stenton levelled for the visitors within a minute with a shot from the blue line.
Early in the second period Tigers were ahead again when Scott McKenzie scored after a goalmouth scramble.
Midway through the game Tigers were awarded a penalty shot when Skoleski was taken down when on a breakaway. Skoleski skated in on goal and shot wide of the net minder’s glove and into the net to double the Tigers’ lead.
Shortly after the home side scored again as James Smith fired home from the slot whilst on the power play.
In the opening minute of the third period, Solway pulled a goal back through Nolan Gardiner, who hit a fierce shot past Brad Day to reduce the deficit.
With ten minutes of the game left Adam Harding scored to restore Telford’s three goal lead and Tigers saw out the rest of the game to seal the two points.
Final Score: Autocraft Telford Tigers 5 Solway Sharks 2.
Scorers: Devon Skoleski (2), Scott McKenzie, James Smith and Adam Harding.
Man of the match: Eric Henderson.
After the game Head Coach Tom Watkins, commented, “That was a big win for us on home ice going into Christmas and bouncing back after a very poor night in Sheffield. We started a little nervy but in the moments that mattered we made a difference, the penalty shot goal and the following power play to make it 4-1. It was good to see us take advantage of that opportunity and get a three goal lead. Brad (Day) looked like he was seeing the puck well with some timely stops and going into the third period, although we didn’t get the start we wanted we played smart and were able to shut down the Sharks’ top line.”
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