Tigers star Weaver set for weekend play-offs

Jonathan Weaver will use his 23 years of experience in senior ice hockey to help Telford Tigers reach the EPL play-off finals this weekend.

Jonathan Weaver – file photo by Steve Brodie

Weaver, who began his career at Durham Wasps, has been a defensive mainstay of the Great Britain squad since 1997, with lengthy spells at the top level of British ice hockey.

The 39-year-old has endured an interrupted 2015/16 campaign, following a shoulder operation last summer, before he suffered a further mid-term injury in February.

But following his return to action last week, Weaver is hoping to prove a point during this weekend’s quarter-final against Milton Keynes Lightning.

He said: “It wasn’t a fantastic weekend to come back, but it was important to get back on the ice. I got out as much as possible, worked on match fitness and did everything I needed.

“I have always found that you need to enjoy the moment. You never know when this sort of thing comes around again. It’s a good laugh at the finals weekend in Coventry, so we all want to be part of it.

“Fans cans expect the Milton Keynes games to be much more intense, with more hits and they’ll probably more defensive. There won’t be too many penalties, of course, as you don’t want to give any opportunities away.”

Victory over the Lightning would see Telford reach the play-off weekend in Coventry for the second year running, following last season’s semi-final exit to Peterborough.

Weaver added: “It was kind of a negative last year, in the way it ended. That will make us even more determined to be part of it again this time round.

“All the guys want to go one better than last year. It is always great to win the league, but winning the play-offs is a nice way to go into the summer.

“It kind of left a bitter taste in our mouths. We’d had a good season and take nothing away from Peterborough, as they deserved it, but we let ourselves down.

“We didn’t play like we had done all season and there’s certainly a few guys who want to right that wrong.”

Telford beat the Lightning five times out of six during the regular EPL season, including two shut-outs at their home rink in Milton Keynes.

But former Nottingham star Weaver believes that record will count for nothing during the final-eight encounter.

“You have to forget what has gone before, even if you have got a good record against a team during the regular season,” he said.

“The slate is wiped clean and it’s a whole new set of teams over two games. Milton Keynes are well coached, they’re fast and have some extremely good players.

“Everyone has to think just about these two games coming up. We need to knuckle down and do our best.”

Saturday night’s away leg against Milton Keynes Lightning starts at 7pm. On Sunday, the two teams face-off at 6pm at Telford Ice Rink. For tickets to the home game on Sunday, go to www.tigershockeyuk.com.