Telford Tigers edge closer to playoff places

Autocraft Telford Tigers travelled to Bristol on Saturday to take on the Pitbulls who were a place below Telford in the league standings. A win in the game was vital for Tigers to keep up their hopes of qualifying for the end of season playoffs.

Tigers started the game brightly and opened the scoring in the fourth minute. Danny Rose sent Scott McKenzie in on goal with the Tiger’s captain hitting a shot in off the cross bar.

The lead was doubled just two minutes later when Fin Howells set up Devon Skoleski who shot high past Tommy Nappier in the Bristol goal.

Five minutes into the second period the home side pulled a goal back through Mitch Walinski. The Bristol forward skated through the Tigers’ defence unopposed and flicked the puck past Brad Day.

Late in the period, Tigers restored a two goal lead when James Smith skilfully beat Nappier with his stick handling of the puck and sent a low shot into the net.

Much of the third period was close with Bristol desperate to get the next goal to put pressure on Telford. But Tigers defended well and were thankful to Day on a number of occasions.

With two minutes left on the clock, Bristol pulled Nappier from goal to add an extra attacker. Tigers took advantage with a fourth goal. Skoleski added his second of the game into the empty net to seal a much needed two points.

With Solway dropping points in their defeat to Milton Keynes, Telford closed the gap to eighth place, with the Shropshire side only three points behind, although the Sharks have a game in hand on Telford.

Final Score: Bristol Pitbulls 1 Autocraft Telford Tigers 4.

Scorers: Scott McKenzie, Devon Skoleski (2) and James Smith.

Man of the match: Brad Day.

After the game Head Coach Tom Watkins, commented, “That’s a very important win and two points for us on the road. I really liked our start and I thought for the first 15 minutes of the first period we were excellent. We went off piste a little for the final five minutes of the first period but after that I thought we were dominant. 

"In the second period we should have put the game to bed after a number of quality chances but I have to tip my hat to Tommy Nappier in the Bristol goal, he was outstanding between the pipes all evening. 

"We stuck to the process, played with the right mentality, played hard off the puck and made good decisions when we were in possession. An important win in the bag, on to our next game now where we need the same sort of performance against Peterborough.”