Autocraft Telford Tigers came into their latest home game with Sheffield Steeldogs on the back of three defeats in a row after a loss the previous evening against league leaders Swindon Wildcats.
The opening period was close with Tigers having pressure early on and only the frame of the goal stopped Telford taking the lead when Rhodes Mitchell-King hit a fierce slap shot that pinged off the cross bar.
The only goal of the first period went to the visitors when Walker Sommer set up Blair Gendunov for a shot from the top of the crease that gave Ben Norton in the Tigers’ goal no chance.
Sheffield were dominating the attacking play and looking dangerous but Telford would score twice in two minutes during the second period to take the lead. Deakan Fielder’s shot from distance was saved by Brady Parker with his pads but David Thomson was first to the rebound to sweep the puck into the net and draw the sides level. Then, great play by Eric Henderson to wait for the perfect moment to pass across the circles to Harry Ferguson allowed Ferguson to skate in on goal and smash the puck in off the cross bar.
Sheffield showed their quality in the third period and were soon level when Liam Steele beat Norton with a precise shot into the bottom corner of the goal.
With the game finely poised going into the final five minutes the next goal would prove crucial and it was the visitors that scored it. Ivan Bjorkly Nordstrom led a breakaway and passed to Sommer who scored from close range.
Tigers were chasing an equaliser but were unable to get past Parker and fell to their fourth defeat in a row.
Final Score: Autocraft Telford Tigers 2 Sheffield Steeldogs 3.
Scorers: David Thomson and Harry Ferguson.
Man of the match: Harry Ferguson.
After the game Head Coach Tom Watkins commented, “We did a lot of things at a good level and I thought we were connected in the offensive and defensive zones. We hunted pucks on the forecheck and moved our feet on the back check and once again put ourselves in front but unfortunately we were not able to manage the game well enough to pick up the win.
We have a big month ahead and I’m sure if we play with the same commitment and quality the wins will start coming.”
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