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Tigers pull of huge win in Guildford
Photograph of the Telford Tigers in action against the Guildford Flames copyright of Steve Brodie.
Telford Tigers sent shockwaves through the English Premier League by taking two points from table toppers Guildford Flames - although the team were disappointed not to get more from their strongest week of the season.
Tigers had been within 70 seconds of taking at least a point at home on Saturday, finally going down 4-3, but a goal from player-coach Tom Watkins sealed a stunning 5-4 overtime win on the road.
"We still feel a bit aggrieved that we didn't make it three or four points, and I guess that says a lot about the guys," said Watkins. "They showed a lot of character to come back from Saturday's
disappointment.
"We are all really chuffed with the result - getting two points in Guildford There are not many teams will do that this year."
Tigers signalled that they meant business right from the start, with Scott McKenzie opening the weekend's scoring at home after just 35 seconds, assisted by Tomas Janak and Luke Brittle, who looked very
comfortable on the first line alongside McKenzie and Marek Hornak in the absence of Joe Henry.
Flames equalised on the powerplay and went 3-1 ahead before Andy McKinney was able to reduce the deficit, firing a beauty of a goal home from the point on the powerplay at 34:08.
Guildford looked strong and dominant, but Tigers stayed with them and, at 58:12 Tom Watkins levelled the score, giving Telford the tantalising hope of stealing a point from Flames. However Guildford's
Martin Masa snatched that hope away with his hat trick goal at 58:50.
Afterwards Watkins said: "It is really frustrating to get it to 3-3 and we were hoping to keep that point. We knew we had to hang on for the last minute so it was really disappointing to lose it after we
worked so hard."
Man of the match was netminder Declan Ryan, who relished the opportunity to start both games this weekend.
"I didn't feel that busy, compared to some other games," said the 17-year-old. "It always helps to face a fair bit of rubber - it helps you to get a good feel for the game, get into the flow. To be honest I
was a bit worried about how I would play, having not had many games, but it was all right and nice to play in front of our fans."
Ryan travels from his home in High Peak, Derbyshire, but has settled in to become a popular member of the team - and is passing on his
experience to Telford's youngest players.
"Tuesday training is a late one - I don't get home till about 1.30am - but we are now sponsored by the Park Inn and staying there over the weekends has really helped me to get into a good routine for games.
"I've been giving the young guys a bit of help. I didn't get a lot of goalie coaching when I was younger, although I did get to watch Frank Pietrangelo at Manchester and Stevie Lyle, which helped me. It is good to get help at a young age and I enjoy doing what I can to help the juniors."
Watkins added: "Declan started both games and, again, looked very comfortable. I honestly think we have two of the best netminders in this league."
Sunday saw the team on the road for the return fixture and this time it was Flames who scored first. However, Luke Brittle equalised for Telford at 24 minutes and Daniel MacKriel put the visitors ahead
within seconds of the restart.
Guildford took the score to 3-2 but Josh Bruce kept it close by levelling just before the end of the period. Andy McKinney put Tigers in front again at 52:19, but again the Flames looked to spoil the
party, taking the game into overtime. However this time Telford triumphed with Tom Watkins scoring the winner at 63:09.
The player-coach was unashamedly proud of his squad for how they have improved since their last visit to Surrey.
"When we came down earlier in the season we lost 8-3 because we were very open and gave up too many goals," said Watkins. "Over the last three or four weeks we have really worked on being more aware.
Although we were outshot tonight, we are making chances on the breakdown, and tightening our defence gives us room to take those chances.
"We have now shown we are very capable of competing with the likes of Manchester and Guildford.
"We have a great group of guys. They stick together and do whatever they are asked - on and off the ice. They are happy to play at this level and have become a very solid group. And that makes them harder to break down as the season goes on."
Tigers will hope to maintain the winning form when they travel to Bracknell on Saturday, before facing Basingstoke at home on Sunday (5.30pm).
0-3 |
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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 |
|---|
- 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
