Telford Tigers undone by defensive lapses
Autocraft Telford Tigers made the long trip down to Romford on Saturday to take on the Raiders for the first time this season.
Telford had continued their good start to the season last weekend, with a home win over Bristol Pitbulls which saw them sit second in the table.
Tigers were terrific in the opening fifteen minutes of the game and dominated the home side.
Rhodes Mitchell-King opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a shot from distance that went in off the post. The lead was extended five minutes later when Brynley Capps was sent in on goal and his precise wrist shot was too good for Raiders’ net minder Cole Ceci.
With Tigers ahead by two, more goals looked a certainty but it would be the home side that somehow went into the break level.
Two goals in thirty five seconds late in the first period from Tjay Anderson and Nils Maskalans, meant that all the good work by Telford earlier had been wasted.
The second period started with Tigers losing their defensive poise and gifting a goal to the Raiders. Scott McKenzie’s pass was intercepted in front of goal by Jack Cooper who backhanded the puck past Ben Norton.
Shortly after, Raiders had doubled their lead. Olegs Lascenko beat Deakan Fielder to the puck at the top of the Tigers’ defensive zone and skated in unopposed to beat Norton with a low shot.
Tigers conceded a fifth goal when Ewan Hill shot past Norton. With only four minutes of the second period gone, Tigers had conceded three goals and had a mountain to climb.
Raiders controlled the rest of the game well and despite lots of attempts at goal from the Tigers, Ceci was on top form.
A late James Smith goal gave Tigers faint hope of a comeback but the goal came too late to impact the result as Telford fell to their first regulation loss of the season.
Final Score: Romford Raiders 5 Autocraft Telford Tigers 3.
Scorers: Rhodes Mitchell-King, Brynley Capps and James Smith.
Man of the match: Louie Newell.
After the game Head Coach Ton Watkins, commented, “That was a tough one tonight, we started at a really good pace, lots of jump, moved the puck very well and took a well deserved two goal lead but it didn’t last long as we were undone by making individual mistakes that led directly to goals against or losing an assignment in key moments.
"We kept pushing and created plenty of chances throughout the game, but didn’t find a way past a goalie who won his team the game this evening.
"We played at a good level for the most part but players have to take responsibility at both ends of the rink for dropping two points tonight.”
