Autocraft Telford Tigers headed into the second game of back to back matches against Milton Keynes having lost in Buckinghamshire the previous evening and seeing their run of consecutive defeats extend to six. Tigers had some good news though as import forward Devon Skoleski was able to return from injury along with Joe Aston and Scott McKenzie. Although Adam Harding was absent through suspension.
A frantic start to the game saw both teams exchange chances early on with Eric Henderson getting a breakaway but a superb save by Lightning net minder Jordan Hedley denied the Telford forward. Milton Keynes Harry Gulliver then hit the post with a wrist shot.
The only goal of the opening period was scored by the visitors. Jordan Spadafore hit a shot from the Tigers’ blue line that was tipped by Ross Venus past Brad Day.
Early in the second period, Milton Keynes doubled their lead. Tigers’ defence had plenty of opportunity to clear the puck from their defensive zone but failed which led to Lighting recycling the puck and Carter Hamill scored off his own rebound.
Tigers were struggling to clear the puck for much of the first ten minutes of the second period and were chasing shadows at times. But they hit back midway through the period when some good battling for the puck by Skoleski saw him strip a Lighting defender of the puck behind the goal and pick out the unmarked Vladimir Luka who shot to Hedley’s right to halve the deficit. The goal marked the Tigers’ fans opportunity to throw their teddies onto the ice as part of the club’s annual “Teddy Toss”.
Tigers were level two minutes from the break. A shot from distance by Danny Rose went through Hedley and bounced in off the bar to send the sides into the break level.
The third period was close with both teams seeking the goal which would win the game. With ten minutes of the game left to play Telford scored a crucial third goal. Luka hit a shot which was blocked and looped up in the air. Hedley saved the shot but it fell perfectly for Tom Byrne who shot into the open net to give Telford their first lead of the game.
With five minutes of the game left, Spadafore caught Rhodes Mitchell-King with a check to the head and was awarded a 5 minute penalty and ejected from the game. Tigers were under pressure despite having a man advantage as Milton Keynes threw everything at Day’s goal.
Day was called on to make a sprawling save to prevent a Lightning goal with the Tigers’ net minder leaving his goal crease and skating out halfway to the blue line to dive on the loose puck.
Hedley was pulled from goal for the final minute of the game but despite some frantic defending the puck stayed out and Telford end their run of losses with a hard fought win.
Final Score: Autocraft Telford Tigers 3 Milton Keynes Lightning 2.
Scorers: Vladimir Luka, Danny Rose and Tom Byrne.
Man of the match: Fin Howells.
After the game Head Coach Tom Watkins, commented, “What an effort from every player on the team. 100% commitment from start to finish, they played hard for each other it was great to see the desire and energy we played with. Last night I felt we didn’t move our legs well enough, tonight I thought we were outstanding in doing just that, simply playing with much more energy, taking away time and space, having a strong gap and slowing them down through the neutral zone, turning pucks over on the forecheck. What a difference, what a team performance against a stacked roster.
Delighted for the players and delighted for the fans. It’s great to see the support from the fans in backing the teddy bear toss and certainly our privilege in delivering these to the PRH children’s ward on the fans behalf. To top it off we were able to enjoy tonight’s result with the fans on the ice after the game. Pleasure to share that experience.”
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