Autocraft Telford Tigers played their final game of 2024 against one of the teams that were below them in the table. The Pitbulls were one place and three points behind the Tigers as both teams looked to put a disappointing season so far behind them as they pushed for vital points in the race for a playoff place.
Tigers were again without captain Scott McKenzie but welcomed back Jake Price from suspension.
The only goal of the opening period went to the visitors. Nick Pryce lead a breakaway and found the unmarked Bayley Harewood with a cross ice pass allowing Harewood a tap in.
Tigers made a much better start to the second period and were level within the first minute. Eric Henderson intercepted a pass and broke towards the Bristol goal. Henderson found the unmarked Harry Ferguson who swept the puck home.
But parity only lasted two minutes as Bristol regained the lead. Pryce intercepted an errant pass and hit a shot that went into the net off Brad Day’s shoulder.
Shortly after, Telford had a great chance get level as Henderson was awarded a penalty shot. Henderson’s shot was blocked by Bristol net minder Tommy Nappier.
Tigers didn’t rue the miss for too long as within two minutes they did equalise. Ferguson set up Devon Skoleski for a tap in.
Midway through the game, Joe Aston was called for roughing giving Bristol a power play chance. The Pitbulls took advantage of the extra attacker when a Reece Cochrane shot deflected off Jay King and beat Day to put the visitors back in front.
Tigers were level within a minute when Vladimir Luka stick handled his way into the Bristol defensive zone and beat Nappier to draw the teams level again.
A close third period was marred by an injury to Price who was stretchered off the ice.
The defining moment of the game came with six minutes left to play. A defensive turnover on the Tigers’ blue line allowed Pryce to break in on goal and score for the Pitbulls.
With Telford pushing for an equaliser Day was pulled from goal for the final minute of the game but this just allowed Bristol’s Harewood to score into the empty net to seal the victory.
Tigers end the year in ninth place, four points behind Solway in eighth place, facing a real battle in 2025 to get into the top eight and qualify for the playoffs.
Final Score: Autocraft Telford Tigers 3 Bristol Pitbulls 5.
Scorers: Harry Ferguson, Devon Skoleski and Vladimir Luka.
Man of the match: Harry Ferguson.
After the game Head Coach Tom Watkins, commented, “It was a tough night at the office. I think we struggled to find any quality transition or offensive zone time and when we did create any offence we weren’t clinical enough. Players didn’t or weren’t prepared to drive the net off the rush, get to the blue paint and layer up the net front when pucks went low to high and we didn’t do a good enough job of taking a big goalie’s eyes away.
We had a really good crowd in the building and unfortunately we didn’t give them anything to get behind.”
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