Last-gasp win for Telford Tigers as they beat Milton Keynes Lightning 2-1

An early goal from the hosts meant Telford trailed for much of the game in Milton Keynes, before they snatched victory with two last-gasp strikes – including one in overtime.

Victory means the Tigers now have a key psychological advantage over second-placed Lightning, ahead of tonight's return encounter at Telford Ice Rink (6pm).

Tigers coach Tom Watkins paid tribute to his players' refusal to give up hope – even after they initially failed to take advantage of better possession later in the game.

He said: "I don't think I've got much of a voice left after that! I said to the players at the end of the second period that I didn't think we had earned it.

"I said to them to go out in the third period and earn it, and they did. I thought we took over the game really well with some excellent hockey later on.

"What I liked was our character tonight. We played a long time behind and kept going, then got the breaks with Corey."

Milton Keynes took the lead after just 14 minutes on Saturday night, as they enjoyed the better of the early possession.

Telford reversed that trend in the second session, however, and had a Jason Silverthorn goal disallowed at the halfway point of the game.

Milton Keynes, meanwhile, missed the chance to go two goals ahead on 36 minutes, when Frantisek Bakrlik saw his penalty shot go wide.

Watkins added: "Milton Keynes are very well organised and tough to break down, and we didn't do the little things well in the first two periods.

"But we got our game going and after taking two points out of here tonight, I'm ecstatic."

The Tigers dominated the third period, but it wasn't until the 58th minute that they drew level, thanks to a strike from Corey McEwen.

That goal meant the game ended all-square after 60 minutes, giving both sides a single point.

And it was McEwen who sealed victory – and the extra point for Telford – with a fine strike after 30 seconds of overtime.

"We always want to go into overtime to win in," Watkins said.

"That was our focus tonight, we wanted to win it, and Corey again came up big for us.

"Ricky turned the puck back to him, and then it was a quick shot to the net. The quicker you get pucks to the net, goaltenders don't have the time to set up.

"I'm really proud of the guys tonight. They battled through and at the end, got their rewards."