Tigers Discipled Performance Nets Road Win. Hexagon Telford Tigers travelled to Humberside for their final away league game of the season. With Tigers guaranteed a playoff spot, the last two games of the season would decide who Telford would play in the quarter finals. Tigers sat in eighth position at the start of play but could finish in seventh place with wins in their remaining games and at least one defeat for Basingstoke in their remaining two games.
Tigers were short benched for the game with Lucas Price, Ricky Plant and Gareth O’Flaherty joining the lengthy list of absentees.
A goalless first period saw both sides forcing saves at either end but both net minders in form. Early in the second period Telford opened the scoring. Vladimir Luka smashing home from a Fin Howells pass. However the lead only lasted three minutes as Emil Svec levelled for the hosts. Tigers regained the lead with a power play goal after Declan Balmer was called for roughing. Danny Rose found Tom Carlon unmarked in the slot allowing Carlon time to shoot past Jordan McLaughlin in the Hull goal.
Tigers extended the lead early in the third period. A passing move from Tigers’ defensive zone saw Luka find Howells, with a pass across the slot. Howells put Telford two goals ahead with a cool finish.
Hull remained dangerous and pulled a goal back with five minutes of the game left. Svec scored his second of the night to set up a nervy finish. With two minutes of the game left Hull pulled McLaughlin from goal to add an extra attacker and laid siege to the Telford goal. Brad Day stood tall and made numerous saves to ensure that Telford won.
With Basingstoke losing to Sheffield, Telford move up to seventh place and can maintain that spot with a win in the final home league game against Bristol.
Final Score: Hull Seahawks 2 Hexagon Telford Tigers 3.
Scorers: Vladimir Luka, Tom Carlon and Fin Howells.
Man of the match: Brad Day.
After the game Head Coach Tom Watkins, commented, “We were a little short staffed with some sickness in the group and injuries taking its toll but the team played hard tonight. We were very disciplined, composed and patient.
We took our chances when they came our way, had a defense first attitude and fought hard for the win. It was a really good test for us as a group as we look to build momentum into next weekend’s playoffs.”
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