Second period goals prove costly for Autocraft Telford Tigers

After a close fought defeat against Solway Sharks in their opening game the team would have a very difficult weekend ahead with games against two of the strongest teams in the league in Hull and Leeds Knights.

Telford were boosted by some good news during the week. Jake Price was eligible to play despite being ejected from the Solway game and Tigers announced the temporary return of defenseman Corey Goodison to the line up. Also added to the line up was defender Noah Kaariainen who is on a two way deal with Blackburn Hawks.

Telford made the perfect start to the game with a goal after just thirty seconds. A defensive howler led to Kaariainen having a free shot from the slot. Kaariainen beat Hull net minder Jordan McLaughlin with a shot in off his blocker. But the lead lasted less than a minute with Hull equalising through Jason Hewitt.

Tigers went back in front in the fifth minute when James Smith stripped a Hull defender of the puck in front of goal and then backhanded it into the net.

Hull responded with a power play goal. Emil Svec’s shot was drifting wide of the Telford goal but hit a Tigers defender and bounced past Brad Day. With the scores level Telford went into the break having played well and not got the bounce of the puck in their favour.

But a horrible second period  would follow which cost the team the game. Telford fell behind after Dave Phillips scored with a shot from the slot. Within a minute Hull doubled their lead. Svec’s shot was tipped past Day by Jonny Corneil. A minute later the lead was three goals. Bobby Chamberlain added a fifth goal for the hosts.

With Telford reeling they conceded again shortly after when Corneil scored his second of the night. Before the period had ended Hull would score a seventh and Corneil completed a hat trick on his debut for the club.

Late in the period Telford scored a third goal with a Harry Ferguson shot deflecting in off Hull defender Jordan Fisher’s skates.

Telford were glad when the period ended so they could regroup.

The third period was better for Telford but Hull added an eighth goal through Owen Bruton with three minutes of the game left.

Tigers added a late consolation goal when James Smith scored his second of the game but Telford headed off the ice, disappointed after a costly second period.

Final Score: Hull Seahawks 8 Autocraft Telford Tigers 4.

Scorers: James Smith (2), Noah Kaariainen and Harry Ferguson.

Man of the match: Adam Harding.

After the game Head Coach Tom Watkins, commented, “A complete contrast from the first to the second period. The first was one of our most complete periods on and off the puck this season and the second was totally the opposite where we we didn’t execute, stick to our structure and made individual mistakes overplaying situations.

"We need more of the team playing and competing at the levels we know we can, you can’t take a shift off against teams like Hull, as they will punish you.”