Telford Tigers maintained their 100% start to the English Premier League season with a 6-2 win over Guildford Flames on Saturday night.
Victory at the Spectrum came amid a three-goal burst in the second period, as Telford stretched their legs against the reigning cup and play-off champions.
The win means Telford remain top of the early standings, although Milton Keynes Lightning and Hull Pirates are level on six points, after tomorrow’s opponents Sheffield lost.
Game action photo – credit Macauley Mcdowell
Head coach Tom Watkins praised his side for putting carefully-laid plans into practice as they took control in the second session.
He said: “It is very pleasing to come away from Guildford with two points, and to win 6-2 on the road shows what a good performance it was tonight.
“In the first period we asked the guys to make sure they got pucks through their defence from the point and four or five of our goals came that way.
“They came from good rebounds and it just shows what happens when you manage to get the puck in front of the net.”
Telford took the lead after 14 minutes through Doug Clarkson, although they relinquished their advantage at the start of the second period.
That three-goal burst for the Tigers came on the 31-minute mark, thanks to strikes from Macaulay Heywood, Matty Davies and Rick Plant.
But the catalyst appeared to be a fight involving Tigers star Clarkson just moments before, as proceedings in Surrey became heated.
Watkins added: “I think those goals came off the fight with Doug, as it meant that Guildford then only had three defence. We also killed a powerplay, which also gave us a lift.
“We could start to play down low and cycle the puck a lot. We got a lot of pucks into their defence, and it was hard for them to compete.”
Telford continued to pile on the pressure with a fifth goal, again from Plant, in the third period before the hosts hit back just a minute later.
But Tigers defenceman Sam Zajac had the last word with a sixth goal for Telford on 57 minutes.
“It is always good to split the scoring, as it makes us harder to shut down and play against,” Watkins said.
“It was nice to see Rick get two goals, as it means a lot to him to score here. Warren Tait was great in defence, with us missing Jonathan Weaver.
“He was outstanding and played with good composure to form an excellent partnership with Sam Zajac.”
The Tigers return to action tomorrow night (Sunday) when they entertain Sheffield Steeldogs at Telford Ice Rink (6pm). To buy tickets, or to watch the game live
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