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Tigers come close to toppling giants
Telford Tigers bounced back from Sunday's disappointing show at Sheffield to come within minutes of a shock win over league leaders Manchester Phoenix.
After being ahead for 53 minutes and demonstrating some of the most exciting hockey so far this season, Tigers were left shell-shocked by a barrage of third period goals, leading to Phoenix taking the points with an 8-7 scoreline.
However the stunning team performance was partially overshadowed by the news after the game that forward Marek Hornak has called time on his hockey in order to concentrate on his full-time job with Wolverhampton University and his part-time HNC studies.
Player-coach Tom Watkins - who sat out this fixture as the last of his five games suspended - is now looking for a replacement for his top scorer, but was heartened by the passion and determination the whole team showed in what turned out to be Hornak's last game.
"This was like night and day compared to Sheffield," said Watkins. "I asked the players to show me some spirit and character and they did that in spades. We came out and worked hard, and played with real heart and desire."
Tigers opened the scoring through Scott McKenzie who jumped on a defensive error by Manchester at 11:58. Luke Brittle skated around a distracted Andrew Sharp to make it two for Telford and Josh Bruce sent the home side into the break 3-0 up by not giving up on the rebounds, while Tony Hand and his Phoenix side looked seriously rattled by this unfamiliar challenge.
Defenceman Mike Jones picked up his first point for Tigers, assisting on Tim Burrows' goal early after the restart, and battling Telford saw off two separate five-on-three powerplays. However, Manchester were able to get on the scoresheet with two goals in the middle session.
A clean shot from the left saw Marek Hornak give Tigers a 5-2 lead in the opening minute of the third, but Manchester struck back with a powerplay goal and then reduced the deficit to just one. McKenzie and Hornak added two more to make it 7-4 for Telford by 48:31, but Phoenix showed why they are top of the table, switching goalies, tightening up their defence and hauling themselves back into the game by equalising at 53:48 and going ahead for the first time at 55:02 with the match winner.
Man of the match went to guest player Tim Burrows, a former Telford youth now studying at Cardiff and playing for their ENL side.
"Tim's a guy I?ve looked at for a while, but he has one more year at Uni," said Watkins. "It is good to see these players, who have come through the junior development, make the step up and I thought Dan Harrison had an awesome game tonight.
"Telford juniors over the years have put out a lot of good players and if we can keep doing that it will add to our depth in the future."
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-3 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-5 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
1-4 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-4 |
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| 11th March 2006 19:00 | ||
2-4 |
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| 11th March 2006 19:00 | ||
| Club | GP | W | L | OL | GF | GA | Pts |
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5-8 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-2 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
3-7 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
1-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
| Club | GP | W | L | OL | GF | GA | Pts |
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- Tigers make back room changes
- New 'old' look for Tigers
- Watkins signs with Tigers for third season
- Tigers lose influential player
- GB fixture for Tigers
