(Image permission: Steve Brodie)
LANCASHIRE, UK – Telford Tigers claimed the Moralee D1 play-off title after recording an 8-3 aggregate victory over Sheffield Steeldogs.
The Tigers took control of the tie with a 6-0 win on home ice – Scott McKenzie (2), Rick Plant, Warren Tait, Jason Silverthorn and Filip Supa were on the scoresheet.
Goals by Ashley Calvert (2) and Cameron Brownley gave Sheffield hope of turning things around in the second leg, but Macaulay Halford and Tom Watkins struck in the final period to seal the win for Telford.
In Laidler D2, Sheffield Senators completed their regular season fixtures with a 6-5 overtime success at home to Telford Tigers 2 – Nathan Britton’s hat-trick goal sealed the win.
PHN’s top two talking points
Regional play-offs aren’t important? Yes they are
There have been suggestions in certain quarters that the regional play-off finals don’t mean anything because of next weekend’s Final Four Weekend at Coventry.
However, Telford Tigers and Sheffield Steeldogs disproved that misguided theory by doing their utmost to secure the Moralee D1 play-off title over the weekend.
Telford built up a comfortable first leg lead, but the way Sheffield fought back in the reverse fixture showed how much the tie meant.
Two goals in the final period finally sealed the deal for Telford and their celebrations at the end of the game proved how important the victory was to the club.
Coventry showdown a fitting finale
Telford and Sheffield will now head to Coventry aiming to show that the northern section of the NIHL is better than its southern counterpart.
Basingstoke Bison and Peterborough Phantoms will be eager to grab the bragging rights for the south, although whatever happens the weekend will be a fitting finale to the newly structured NIHL.
Having tipped Telford for glory a few weeks ago it would be be silly to change that prediction now, but the other trio can be expected to put up stern resistance next weekend.
Previous play-off events in the EPL and NIHL have generally been successful, so let’s hope that everyone involved in Coventry 2018 enjoys an entertaining weekend.
WEEKEND RESULTS
Moralee D1
Telford Tigers 6-0 Sheffield Steeldogs
Sheffield Steeldogs 3-2 Telford Tigers (agg 3-8)
Laidler D2
Sheffield Senators 6-5 Telford Tigers 2
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