Telford Tigers secured fourth place in the final English Premier League standings with a dramatic 6-5 win over Bracknell Bees on Saturday night.
Victory in Berkshire means Telford are almost certain to play the last leg of next week’s play-off quarter-final at home – potentially handing them a crucial advantage.
But the Tigers were almost on the end of a surprise defeat to the EPL’s bottom team, after finding themselves 4-2 down at the start of the third period.
A fightback in the final 20 minutes – and then into overtime – sealed success for the Shropshire men, with head coach Tom Watkins relieved to return home with two points.
He said: “Our performance wasn’t at the races tonight, or at a level I am used to seeing. We played to a better standard in the third period, but their netminding made a big difference.
“That isn’t to take anything away from Bracknell, who played with a lot of energy and hunger. They got their noses ahead and were probably unlucky not to win they game.
“We were in a similar position to Bracknell as a trust, so you’ve got to commend the players who have stuck with them all season.
“To have a team show that sort of work ethic and commitment on the last weekend is something they should be proud of.”
Telford were 2-0 down after just 24 minutes at the Hive, before returning captain Jason Silverthorn struck first for the visitors on 26 minutes.
Bracknell made it 3-1 at the halfway point of the game, although Peter Szabo pulled another goal back just two minutes later.
The hosts scored again on 35 minutes, ending the session 4-2 ahead, before Macaulay Heywood scored Telford’s third at the start of the final period.
The turning point of the game came on 47 minutes, when Tigers netminder Thomas Murdy saved a penalty shot, just before Dale White’s equaliser for Telford.
There was still drama to come, however, when the Bees took a one-goal lead on 56 minutes, although that was cancelled out seconds later by Andrei Makrov.
And it was Makrov who secured victory with his second goal of the night, after just over a minute of overtime.
Watkins added: “We have to be better and turn up for the whole game, not just a third of it. The guys need to get the job done and put in a good performance.
“We showed more in the third period and maybe our talent started to show through at the end, but that isn’t to take anything away from Bracknell’s huge effort.
“At this time of the year, all our guys need to be better and have a lot more belief in better executing systems. I’m confident our top players will be our top players next weekend.”
The Tigers are back in action on Sunday night, when they host Swindon Wildcats at Telford Ice Rink (6pm). For tickets, go to www.tigershockeyuk.com.
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