The Tigers will be told to expect a “totally different game” against Basingstoke Bison on Sunday night, following Saturday‘s 7-2 win over EPL newcomers Hull Pirates.
Telford showed few signs of ‘bus legs’ from the long journey to Humberside, as they took an early two-goal lead against the league’s bottom side.
The hosts closed the score to 3-2 later on, before Tom Watkins’ men enjoyed a purple patch in the third period, scoring four unanswered goals.
Saturday’s victory means Telford are now on a par with the leading sides in the EPL – but Watkins believes the visit of Basingstoke will be much tougher.
He said: “I think it will be a totally different game at home on Sunday, as the Bison have got a lot of quality in their line-up. We will need to manage the puck a lot better.
“I know they will come at us hard and use their depth well. Basingstoke have started the season very well and it will be a difficult game for sure.”
Peter Szabo and Phil Hill were on target with those goals in the first four minutes of Saturday’s encounter, before Szabo scored once again on 31 minutes.
Two goals from Hull narrowed the gap at the start of the third period – before further strikes from Szabo, Max Birbraer (2) and Vladimir Kutny put the result beyond doubt.
Watkins added: “It was tough, and they surprised us with a couple of goals. There is pressure on the guys to go out and win games like this, but they worked hard and had a disciplined approach.
“Overall, I think we were in a good position to control the game and I was pleased with the way we finished the third period.
“It was important not to panic and to get that shorthanded goal in the third was a big advantage. We played with a bit more speed during that period and moved the puck a lot quicker.”
Sunday night’s game against Basingstoke Bison, at Telford Ice Rink, faces off at 6pm. For tickets, go to www.tigershockeyuk.com.
NIHL:
Jason Parry believes The Tigers NIHL could have gone on to beat Whitley Warriors, after they enjoyed the early running in Saturday night’s 3-3 draw at Telford Ice Rink.
Early goals saw the county men move into a 2-0 lead at the halfway point of the game, as they made the most of better possession against the north-east outfit.
Whitley’s experience began to show later in the game, however, when they established a 3-2 advantage – before a dramatic third period goal from Telford.
Parry, who watched his side climb to fifth in the Moralee Conference standings, paid tribute to his side’s late efforts, despite them losing that early cushion.
He said: “I was relived that we got a goal at the end of the game, but to be honest, I was a bit disappointed. I think we controlled the first two periods, before capitulating a bit in the third.
“We conceded a goal at the end of the second period, which hurt us quite a bit. Our powerplay was working well tonight, and I was glad to get my best guys out there.”
James Smith was on target with all three of Telford’s goals on Saturday evening, starting with a well-worked strike after just two minutes.
The youngster doubled that advantage on 37 minutes, before Whitley hit back just before the second interval.
Two third period goals looked to have won the game for the Warriors, before Smith snatched a goal on 58 minutes, after Parry pulled netminder Denis Bell.
“If you’re chasing the game and you’ve got a face-off in the attacking zone, there is little point in keeping the netminder out there,” he added.
“Throwing an extra attacker in and floating the puck in front of the net can make often things happen for us. That’s what we did tonight.
“Smithy played really well and scored with some great shots. He didn’t score last week, which was unusual, so it was good to see him do that tonight.”
The Tigers NIHL return to action next Saturday night, when they welcome Solway Sharks to Telford Ice Rink (5.30pm).
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