ISLE OF WIGHT, UK – The Wightlink Tigers opening home game ended in defeat but there was lot to be encouraged about in this performance. With a much depleted squad, having lost the cream of the crop to the big brother Wightlink Raiders in the close season, the Tigers came close to pulling off a shock result against ENL2 South pre season favourites the Bristol Pitbulls. Throughout the game the visitors had the edge but the Tigers never laid down and did manage to open the scoring. However they only held the lead for a matter of seconds and by early in the second period the Pitbulls had stretched out to a 4-1 lead. The home team dug deep and showed that they still have some quality on board and battled back to level the game at 4-4 before a contentious strike by the visitors player coach Richie Hargreaves put the Pitbulls ahead again at the second interval. Richie hit a slapshot at an angle from the point which appeared to hit the plexi behind the net and play carried on for a few seconds. The Pitbulls players then seemed to stop and appeal that the puck had passed through a hole in the net. There was a delay in the game whilst the net was examined and a hole was found. A goal was then awarded by official Dave Cloutman his decision being made easier by the Tigers veteran Tony Blaize telling the ref that he too thought it was goal. In the third the Tigers again levelled at 5-5 before the visitors quality told and they stretched away for the win. Tigers forward Richard Nembhard was unfortunate to be awarded a match penalty din the first period for checking from behind which led to a bad facial injury to the Pitbulls youngster Jamie Chilcott. For a time the injury did look quite serious and the decision to exclude the Tiger may have been to prevent the Pitbulls seeking retribution. Happily Jamie Chilcott did reappear back on the Pitbulls bench even if his face did look a bit on the battered side. This game entertained from start to finish and the Tigers can be pleased with the form of Mike Palin, Niall Bound & Ritchie Gutteridge. Import Jason Coles needs to find his form soon though. The Tigers scorers were Palin, Bound, Rickett, Coles, Gutteridge & Attril whilst Esposito (3), Mike Smith (2), Lock, Hayman & Richie Hargreaves netted for the Pitbulls. The MOM awards went to Lee for the Tigers and Lock for the Pitbulls. The final score was Wightlink Tigers 6 – 8 Bristol Pitbulls. Contact the author dave.logan@prohockeynews.com
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