Telford Tigers eyeing silverware
Telford Tigers are eyeing NIHL National Cup glory after booking their place in the semi-finals.
Tigers followed up their 5-2 first leg success at Streatham by drawing 4-4 at home on Saturday night to secure a 9-6 aggregate success.
Coach Tom Watkins was happy to have progressed but admitted he was disappointed not to have won the second leg.
“I am very pleased to progress to the semi-final but frustrated not to win on the night,” said Watkins.
“Credit to Streatham, they never went away, frustrated us and kept coming and coming.
“Our power play didn’t click when I felt we carved some good opportunities and actually moved the puck pretty well. We then ran into a few late calls which left us playing short handed.”
Tigers went into the clash without the injured Jack Watkins after it was revealed he played half of the game against Solihull the previous week with a broken collarbone.
But new signing Filip Supa made his first start at home since his arrival last week.
Streatham took a number of penalties in the first period and Tigers thought they had opened the scoring when Jason Silverthorn scored from close range, but the referee ruled that the goal was off its moorings and disallowed the effort.
The hosts finally got on the scoresheet in the 17th minute while on a five-on three power play. Silverthorn’s initial shot was saved, leaving Scott McKenzie to fire the rebound home into the roof of the net.
Streatham responded with a power play goal of their own in the 28th minute when Ryan Webb netted and then took the lead through Aidan Doughty five minutes later.
But Tigers hit back to level with a second power play strike when Jonathan Weaver flicked the puck off net minder Matthew Colclough and into the net.
Tigers were firmly in charge of the tie when Ricky Plant added their third from close range.
The third period was only 32 seconds old when Tigers made it 4-2. Weaver led a breakaway and passed to Brodie Jesson who fired home.
Streatham reduced the deficit nine seconds later when Doughty scored his second and gained some consolation when they claimed a draw on the night thanks to Doughty’s third.
