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Tigers defeat EPL champions
Telford Tigers captain Tomas Janak paid tribute to the team's fans for the vocal support that helped his side to their first win in eight games, beating high-flying Slough Jets 4-3 at home.
"It makes a massive difference to hear the support from the crowd,"
said man of the match Janak. "It is a great feeling to be able to give the fans a win.
"The last couple of games have not been good and we can only apologise to the fans for that. But hopefully tonight makes up for it and encourages everyone to come and shout for us again on Tuesday and next Saturday."
In a nail-biting encounter at Telford Ice Rink, Tigers showed great determination to take the first period 1-0 thanks to Scott McKenzie, back from injury earlier than expected and straight back into goal-scoring form.
Nathan Salem made it 2-0 at 27:52, assisted by Luke Brittle and Ross Hanlon, swiftly followed by a brief centre-ice scrap between Andy McKinney and Slough's Ryan Watt.
Martin Clarkson kept a clean sheet for over half the game, making some spectacular saves, before being beaten by former Coventry Blaze skipper Adam Calder with a powerplay goal at 32:48.
However, Tigers struck back swiftly with an astonishing rare goal from defenceman Daniel Croft, sent away by Clarkson and going the length of the ice to fire the puck in and wrap up the period 3-1.
Slough narrowed the gap again by scoring on a delayed penalty early in the third but, again, Tigers nosed ahead with a well-taken goal from Ashley Calvert in the 50th minute. Jets made it 4-3 at 56:30, setting up a tense finale as they pressed for the equaliser that never came as Tigers hung on by their fingertips to take a much-needed two points.
Afterwards, Janak said: "It has been a while since we won, but we performed well for all three periods this time. And to win against such a great team makes it even better."
Player-coach Tom Watkins added: "You do feel weighed down when you're not winning, so it is a relief to get some points on the board again.
"The team is evolving. I reminded the guys that we are only down one player from when we were winning in November - Marek Hornak - and that while Marek was good, he wasn't doing it all on his own. I asked the guys to show me belief and character and, credit to them, they have.
"But this is only one game. We have to keep it tight defensively and be strong."
Sadly it was a different story on Saturday as the team went down 9-3 in Swindon. Tigers took the lead through Tom Watkins at 5:06, assisted by Andrejs Maslovskis and Daniel MacKriel. However, the Wildcats hit back with two goals to take a slim lead into the first break.
Luke Brittle equalised in the opening minute of the middle session, but the hosts hammered home six goals to put the game out of reach of the Shropshire lads. Swindon took their tally to nine in the final period, with Scott McKenzie adding one in consolation.
Tigers are at home on Tuesday, when they face Sheffield Steeldogs (7.30pm) and again on Saturday (5.30pm) against Peterborough Phantoms, followed by a 'meet the team' quiz night in the Ice Rink bar.
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-3 |
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4-5 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
1-4 |
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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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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
