Telford Tigers boss Tom Watkins fumes with controversial non-call decision in defeat

With the thrilling clash going the distance on Tigers' home ice, referees missed the decisive moment an extra Steeldogs player was on the ice as the visitors struck the winner.

Ivan Bjorkly Nordstrom was in the centre of the ice before Walker Sommer had departed, and the former took advantage as Steeldogs broke on goal. Nordstrom fed the unmarked Sam Tremblay to bag his second of the night.

To compound fortune for Tigers, Scott McKenzie had dropped his stick near to his own goal, allowing more freedom for Sheffield to net.

A displeased Watkins said: “That’s a tough way to lose, conceding in overtime after the officials miss a too many men call, which was very clear.

"There were at least three of the officials in good positions to see this and it should not be missed. Nordstrom is in the middle of the ice when he receives the puck, it’s not like he is just stepping onto the ice from the bench, with Sommer still clearly on the ice and skating towards the bench.

"Nordstrom is stealing a huge advantage. He’s at least 30 feet from the bench when he receives the puck, It’s a big moment that the officials missed that directly affected the result."

Tigers, looking to push towards a play-off position held by Solway Sharks ahead of them, otherwise performed well, especially in the second period of a topsy-turvy NIHL clash.

The impressive Eric Henderson netted twice and hit the frame of the goal twice more to add to Fin Howells goal.

Sheffield took the lead against the run of play through Charlie Thompson before Henderson rattled the post with a wrist shot.

Tigers motored in the second period and took real advantage of a two-man power play with Nordstrom and Elmeri Hallfors serving suspensions. Sheffield netminder Daniel Crowe saved from McKenzie, but Devon Skoleski fed Howells to pounce.

Moments later Henderson scored a deserved goal from just inside the blue lined as Telford led.

The lead only lasted two minutes though. Danny Rose was in the box for tripping and Jonathan Phillips took advantage to equalise for 2-2.

The clash was finely poised and it looked like the hosts had won it three minutes from time as Skoleski sent Henderson away and his back-handed shot beat Crowe.

Frustratingly, though, back came Sheffield and with netminder Crowe out as an extra attacker, an attempted Rose clearance fell to Phillips to feed Tremblay to equalise.

Skoleski hit the frame of the goal into overtime but the period was marred by the officials' controversial non-call.

Watkins added: "I thought we battled hard throughout the game and the second period was our best but we let them off by not capitalising on some great opportunities to score. 

"I think Hendo (Henderson) hit the post twice on top of his two goals and it is great to see him getting rewarded for the hard work he puts in every night."