Telford Tigers edge a tight encounter

Tigers faced off against the team that had beaten them in the Northern Cup final earlier in the season and a fast-paced first period saw only one goal but lots of end-to-end play and numerous penalties.

The referee appeared to miss a blatant boarding on Tigers’ Andy McKinney but shortly after called Brodie Jesson for a cross check, much to the home fans’ displeasure.

Tigers were next to have a power play, when Milan Kolena was called for tripping, and they took full advantage of the extra player as Ricky Plant found Jason Silverthorn in the slot and the skipper hit a wrist shot between the legs of Dimitri Zimozdra.

Both teams suffered further penalties with Thomas Barry for Sheffield and Silverthorn being sent to the bin but neither side could add to the scoreboard.

Tigers started the second period in perfect fashion with a second goal. Jonathan Weaver’s precise pass sent McKinney clear on goal and he hammered an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net.

Adam Taylor was then denied by Zimozdra before Jack Watkins saw a shot cleared off the line.

The official continued to draw the ire of the home crowd as he refused to call a penalty on Sheffield’s Tim Smith after a late hit that left Joe Aston down on the ice for some time.

But he did call a penalty shortly after on Sheffield’s Ashley Calvert for high sticking and Tigers took advantage when Adam Taylor’s shot rebounded off Zimozdra’s pads and Watkins slammed home the rebound.

Sheffield finally got on the scoreboard in the 45th minute through Calvert and then added a second four minutes later when Tigers’ defence failed to clear and Liam Charnock scored from close range.

A late spell of pressure almost saw Tigers increase their lead with Weaver and Silverthorn both denied by Zimozdra.

Head coach Tom Watkins said: “We outworked them for two periods, managed the puck well and I felt we did everything right.”