The Tigers prepared for next month’s English Premier League play-offs with a 6-2 win over likely opponents Milton Keynes Lightning.
Telford are almost certain to be drawn against MK for the end-of-season jamboree, with the league title also drawing closer.
Image courtesy of Telford Tigers
Last night’s success came 24 hours after a 2-1 win in Milton Keynes, as The Tigers retained their 13-point cushion at the top of the standings.
Head Coach Tom Watkins employed a four-line system at Telford Ice Rink – and his side responded with a sparkling first period performance.
He said: “Winning the first period 4-0 probably killed the game a little bit, as a contest. It is the first time we have been able to play four lines from the beginning of a game and we started really well.
“I’m conscious that we played last Wednesday night, and play again next Wednesday, so it was nice that we could give the guys a full run for 60 minutes.”
Goals from Jason Silverthorn (2), Max Birbraer and Peter Szabo gave Telford a handy 4-0 lead at the end of the first period, as the hosts asserted their authority.
A further strike from Salem after the break extended that advantage, only for Milton Keynes to end hopes of a shutout at the start of the final session.
Salem was once again on target with six minutes remaining, although it was the visitors who rounded off the scoring with a second goal two minutes later.
Watkins added: “Milton Keynes kept on pushing hard in the third period and they’ve got a lot of ability. We need to be more switched on about that.
“Playing four lines for the duration of the game meant guys weren’t used to a few things, but four points over the weekend is really important for us.”
On Saturday night, meanwhile, a slow start from The Tigers saw Milton Keynes end the first period on top, after taking the lead on seven minutes.
It wasn’t until the 26th minute that Telford opened their scoring, thanks to Nathan Salem.
That momentum resulted in a second Tigers goal, this time from Dan Davies, at the halfway point of the game.
The hosts almost drew level during a tense final session, even pulling their netminder in the dying moments.
But Telford clung on to record their ninth victory since the turn of the year.
“Milton Keynes worked hard tonight and made it very hard for us to find our feet, or get into a rhythm,” Watkins said.
“At this stage of the season, though, points are the priority. If you don’t pick up points, you start to lose ground. Of course, the performance is important, but the biggest prize is the points. We had to grind out the win tonight, but we showed some good character.”
The county men are back in action on Wednesday evening, when they host Guildford Flames in the second leg of the British Challenge Cup semi-final (7.30pm).
Telford hold a 4-3 lead from last week’s first leg.
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