Tom Watkins told of his admiration for the Telford Tigers players after they shrugged off the club’s off-ice issues to beat Basingstoke Bison 3-1 on Sunday night.
Photo credit courtesy of Steve Brodie
Victory at Telford Ice Rink followed a 7-3 success in Hull on Saturday night, as the Tigers retained their six-point lead over Milton Keynes at the top of the English Premier League.
And with the club’s future set to be decided over coming weeks, head coach Watkins paid tribute to his players’ efforts in overcoming a determined Bison outfit.
He said: “For me as a coach, it is a very difficult situation to manage right now, as none of us have been paid for a number of weeks.
“They are playing for free and putting their bodies on the line. They could potentially pick up an injury that ends their season.
“Thankfully, we haven’t got any serious injuries, but this is their career and their livelihood. It’s the same for me. We do this for a living.
“I’ve got huge admiration for the players and staff that keep coming to work with a smile on their face.
“It is tough and I won’t lie. It isn’t an easy ride, but hopefully we’ll get some better news this week.”
It was a slow start from Telford on Sunday, as they fell behind to Basingstoke goal at the end of the first period.
A better middle session saw the Tigers force a string of fine saves from Bison netminder Tomas Hiadlovsky, in the search for an equaliser.
And that opening Telford goal came on the stroke of the second period break, thanks to Milan Kolena.
A two-goal burst from the hosts in the third session proved to be decisive, with the first of those strikes coming from Phil Hill.
And Kolena was on target just 16 seconds later to seal victory for Telford, who saw off a fierce fightback from Basingstoke in the closing stages.
Watkins added: “The guys never gave up and you never want to concede a goal just before the end of a period.
“We have got very good character in this team and I said a few weeks ago that with this bunch, you don’t feel like you’re going to lose.
“I thought special teams would be key tonight and it was huge for us to kill a five on three in the second period.
“That goal going into the third period really put a spring in our step. It was great to see Hilly get a goal and Milan scored with a great one-timer.”
Telford are back in action next weekend, when they travel to face Manchester Phoenix on Saturday, before hosting Swindon Wildcats the next day.
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