Autocraft Telford Tigers gain first win of season

A close fought game on the road in Romford ended with a 7-4 defeat and Tigers ill discipline costing them dear with Raiders scoring at key times with power play goals.

Telford welcomed back Ross Connolly from suspension but were still without the injured duo of Lucas Price and Danny Rose.

The first period saw only one goal and the home side scored it. Harry Ferguson scored his second goal of the weekend with a shot from close range. Bayley Harewood had a glorious chance to equalise late in the period with a penalty shot but Brad Day was at his best, stopping the puck on the goal line with the toe of his skate.

Early in the second period Telford added a second goal and were the beneficiaries of a horrendous turnover by Bristol netminder Tommy Nappier. The netminder came out of his goal to play the puck and passed it straight to Zachary Yokoyama who dispatched a shot into the open net.

Bristol hit back with a power play goal. With Scott McKenzie in the penalty box, Harewood passed to Nick Pryce who hit a low shot past the screened Brad Day.

Tigers struck back straight away to restore their two goal lead. Yokoyama sent a pass from behind the goal to Fin Howells who hit a first time shot into the net.

With five minutes of the second period left Tigers scored a fourth goal. Ryan Leese sent a shot from the blue line in on goal where McKenzie expertly directed it past Nappier.

Bristol pressed but did not create enough chances to cause the Tigers defence too much trouble but late in the game they pulled a goal back on the power play. Harewood led a breakaway and found the unmarked Tanner Butler who tapped home for Bristol’s second of the game.

Any nerves the home fans may have had about a Bristol comeback were dispatched when Adam Harding scored into an empty net after Nappier had been pulled from goal.

Tigers finally get their first win of the season at the seventh attempt!

Final Score: Autocraft Telford Tigers 5 Bristol Pitbulls 2.

Scorers: Harry Ferguson, Zachary Yokoyama, Fin Howells, Scott McKenzie and Adam Harding.

Man of the match: Zachary Yokoyama.

After the game Head Coach Tom Watkins, commented, “It was nice to finally get off the mark for this season, it’s taken us too long!

"That was a solid team performance which saw us dominate for two periods, with our defensive zone exits and forecheck executed at a good level all night. We skated hard, were physical and made good decisions on and off the puck. We have to bring that level of performance to every game in future.”