Tigers coach Tom Watkins hit out at his side’s failure to capitalise on a flying start against Peterborough Phantoms at Telford Ice Rink on Sunday night.
A bright opening period saw the county men take a 1-0 lead into the first break – but they struggled to maintain that form, as Peterborough eventually emerged 5-2 winners.
Defeat means Telford are now sixth in the English Premier League standings, with Sheffield Steeldogs – who have a game in hand – just three points adrift.
Watkins believes that impressive start to the game should have formed the basis for a third win of the season over Peterborough.
He said: “I thought we played really well in the first period. The guys were good on the puck, our d-zone was great and our transition was good.
“We created some excellent opportunities in that period and Blaho came up with a super goal after a just few minutes, to put us in the lead.
“We lost the second period 3-1 at home. It was a big change and ultimately I think every goal we gave up in the second period was a puck that was on our stick.
“The breakaway was a puck on our stick from a won face-off, and I think another one was a puck on our stick that we lost on a forecheck, with a relatively low pressure.
“That element was disappointing, but I thought our emotional play tonight, our controlled emotion, our grit and physical play was really good. I think unfortunately that was part of our undoing with the official as well.”
The Tigers appeared to have proceedings under control early on, when Blaho Novak scored after just three minutes of a bruising opening period.
Peterborough hit back just after the first interval, although Max Birbraer handed his side the lead once again at the halfway point of the game.
The visitors, however, hit a purple patch at the end of the middle session, with two goals in just two minutes to snatch the initiative.
A fourth Peterborough goal on 47 minutes saw Tigers chief Tom Watkins pull netminder Thomas Murdy later on, in a bid to close the gap.
But with Telford taking a number of penalties in those final 20 minutes, the Phantoms secured victory with a late empty net goal.
Watkins added: “I don’t think we got a bounce or a call for the majority of the evening. I thought a lot was let go that should have put us on a powerplay.
“We killed a lot of penalties and our penalty kill was excellent, other than the five on three. It mystified me and the players at times, to some of the calls.
“I think over the last couple of weeks we have been on the wrong end of some really poor officiating and I think tonight we were there.”
Telford Tigers are back in action next weekend, when they travel to face Guilford Flames on Saturday, before Sunday’s visit of Hull Pirates (6pm). For tickets, go to www.tigershockeyuk.com.
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