Telford Tigers lose 5-3 to Guildford Flames

They gave them a scare, but Telford Tigers still ended up losing 5-3 to big guns Guildford Flames.

And player-coach Tom Watkins, starting a five-game ban, addmitted: "It was not good watching from the sidelines - but I was immensely proud of the lads. They all played really well for each other."

Snow put paid to Saturday's planned EPL game at Swindon and Tigers were without five key players against the Flames.

But they put up a valiant fight and, had it not been for a washed out goal, might have finished even closer than the respectable scoreline.

Former Tigers Karl Creamer and Mark Hazlehurst stepped onto the team bench while Watkins is suspended.

And a trio of young locals - Adam Taylor, James Warman and Daniel Harrison - were called up to plug the gap caused by three players on GB duty and Ashley Stanton on the sick list.

Despite the troubles, Tigers sent a ripple of unease through the Guildford camp with their opening goal from Scott McKenzie at 7:25, reminding the visitors that the small-budget side had beaten them in their last meeting.

Flames equalised and went ahead in the opening minute of the second period, but Tigers' tails stayed up and McKenzie levelled at 25:48 with a five-on-three powerplay goal.

A horrible lapse saw Guildford go ahead short-handed and a sweet shot into the top corner gave Flames a 4-2 lead. However a powerplay slapshot from Joe Henry narrowed the gap at 38:50.

A stunning rebound goal early in the final period should have given man of the match McKenzie his hat-trick and Tigers hope of another shock result over Guildford, but the goal was washed out as Hala's net was off its moorings.

Although the decision did not appear to weigh too heavily on the team, the momentum did swing away from Tigers, as Guildford's skilled side added a safety goal in the 45th minute to seal a 5-3 win.

By CAROLINE GARBETT