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Hand pays tribute to Tigers work
MILTON KEYNES LIGHTNING 4 TELFORD TIGERS 1
TIGERS: Chris Allen 1+0; Marek Hornak, Scott McKenzie 0+1 Man of the Match: Chris Allen
TELFORD TIGERS 2 MANCHESTER PHOENIX 8
TIGERS: Tomas Janak, Chris Allen 1+0; Tom Watkins, Andrejs Maslovskis 0+1 Man of the Match: Andy McKinney
Ice hockey legend Tony Hand paid tribute to Telford's hard-working Tigers after his Manchester Phoenix side took an 8-2 win - saying he believes the wins are not far away for Shropshire's young team.
"Credit to Tigers for a first year team," said Hand after his victory.
"Tom Watkins is doing a great job and you can see they are learning.
Being at the bottom is tough, but I think they'll get a few breaks and start winning.
"I thought they pushed us hard, especially in the first period. They came at us hard but we got our goals at the right time. To be fair, it didn't feel like an 8-2 game, it felt closer, more like a 6-3 game.
I'm just happy to get out of here with the points."
Phoenix brought huge travelling support with them, helping to create an electrifying atmosphere at Telford Ice Rink, and they were rewarded with their first goal after just 46 flying seconds.
Tigers skated with their visitors in the early part of the game, and Tomas Janak equalised on the powerplay at 4:18, assisted by Tom Watkins. However, several chances were missed, with Manchester's back-up goalie Adam Summerfield in fine form, and the Phoenix took the period 3-1 despite being outshot by their hosts.
Manchester extended their lead by two goals in the middle session and the intensity of Phoenix's game appeared to be taking its toll on Tigers younger players as they seemed quieter as the game wore on.
A close-range shot took the score to 6-1 before Chris Allen hit back for Telford, assisted by Andrejs Maslovskis, at 51:58. That was little comfort, however, as Manchester took a further two powerplay goals.
Afterwards, coach Tom Watkins said: "In the first and second period we could have scored four or five goals if not for their young goalie.
"They skate well and hit the puck well. I think we competed reasonably well for two thirds of the game. It wouldn't be realistic to say we were going to beat them, but we did compete well.
"I said before the game these guys are really clinical. The first couple of goals the guy found a yard of space and took the pass for a one-time shot. That's the difference - they pass to shoot where we take the touch and then shoot. It's the difference between scoring and not scoring."
Saturday saw the Tigers on the road to Milton Keynes where the hosts took a 2-0 lead in the first period, with Telford seeing their only goal washed out. Chris Allen narrowed the gap with a goal at the midway point, but Lightning restored the deficit with ten minutes to go and wrapped it up with an empty net goal in the final second of the game.
Tom Watkins said: "I was frustrated by the MK game. I don't think we played well, and that's probably where my frustration came from. But saying that, it was a one goal hockey game until halfway through the third.
"We scored a goal and had it washed out and that's happened to us two or three times this year. That can be a really big negative in the game when you're pushing really hard, get the bounce and then it's washed. It was a shame for the guys at that point.
"But 4-1, empty net goal, against last year's league champions, I suppose isn't so bad."
Man of the match in Milton Keynes was defenceman Chris Allen, who also came up big to score in both of the weekend's games.
The Canadian said: "This weekend we changed the lines so we went with six defencemen and that gave me fewer minutes on the ice. I'm not 19 any more, I'm not going to go end-to-end. I can't rush the net, so I have to play smart for the team.
"Most of my points are scored on the powerplay. I have a big shot and I pick my chances.
"As a team we do keep improving, but it's not going to happen overnight. We are playing hard, learning every day and confidence levels are staying up. Another month we'll be that much different.
"For four of Manchester's goals we were in the right position, just not close enough. We would be two stick lengths away instead of one.
This is a game of inches, and those inches add up."
The Tigers get a rare night off on Saturday, before welcoming Milton Keynes to the ice rink on Sunday (5.30pm), which will also be a Halloween party night with fans of all ages invited to come in fancy dress, and trick or treat prizes for children.
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5-3 |
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4-5 |
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1-4 |
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4-4 |
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2-4 |
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5-8 |
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5-1 |
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4-1 |
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5-2 |
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3-7 |
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1-1 |
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