GM Telford Tigers gave two spirited fightbacks this weekend, but it was the getting into trouble in the first place that cost them four points as they fell 6-4 at home to Romford and 7-5 on the road at  Swindon.

In both matches, the Tigers found themselves on the wrong side of a  5-0 scoreline, making life hard for themselves as they battle to retain their place in the play-offs.

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Saturday saw the team matching Romford in the early stages, and Ashley Stanton came close when he put the puck right across the goalmouth, gliding along the line, but not going over. However, Raiders made it on to the scoresheet at 17:39, and added another for 2-0 going into the break.

Two quick goals early in the second, as Romford skated rings around Tigers’ defence, and another at the halfway mark left Tigers reeling. 

Hard-working young Ashley Calvert did everything but score, and it  took until 37:30 for Telford to make any real impact on the game, when high-man Marek Hornak scored a stunning breakaway shorthanded goal, assisted by Claude Dumas.

The goal – and a period break pep talk – saw Tigers looking much more positive as they came out for the third and Tom Carlon was celebrating within four minutes as he popped the puck in at close range.

Tigers started to run into penalty trouble, with Andrew McKinney and James Knight both picking up misconducts.

Captain Daniel Mackriel hit a fast goal from a face-off at 51:48, and brought the game tantalisingly close with a further powerplay goal with five minutes to go.

Tigers continued to push hard for the equaliser, but Romford stretched the lead with a rebound goal at 54:51 and, despite pulling goalie Davey Lawrence for the extra man, Telford  couldn’t improve on the 6-4 scoreline.

During the match Tigers lost defencemen Jake Armstrong and Alex Symonds to injuries, but did benefit from the return of Brit Scott Williams, finally back on the bench after a long lay-off with a fractured wrist.

Afterwards, Williams said: “Despite the score, it feels so good to be back with the lads. I need to get my fitness back to 100 per cent.

“My wrist is getting a lot stronger and it was great to get back on the ice, although I had to keep it to short shifts until I get back to match fitness. It’s nice to be the extra body on the bench to help my team mates and, when I get my chances, to step up and take them.”

Armstrong didn’t make the trip to Swindon on Sunday and, again, Symonds was unable to finish the game. And it was a familiar story on  the ice as Wildcats took a 3-0 lead in the first period, despite some good play from Tigers.

There were a further two goals in the middle session, but this time Tigers got onto the scoresheet earlier, with Tom Carlon netting a powerplay goal at 24:29. 

The third line continued the fightback as Ashley Calvert scored at 30:44, assisted by Scott Williams and Andrew McKinney.

Man of the match James Knight made it 5-3 half a minute later and  Daniel Mackriel added a powerplay goal at 33:12.

It didn’t end there, as former Wildcat Marek Hornak again made a deadly dash from the blue line to score against his old side, giving Tigers the equaliser at 42:29. However, within seconds, a Telford error enabled Swindon to regain the lead and they scored again towards the end of the game to take it 7-5.

Tigers have a busy schedule this week, with a rare midweek game, away to Milton Keynes on Thursday, before meeting Swindon Wildcats at Telford Ice Rink on Saturday (5.30pm). 

Sunday’s away game at Romford is the big one however – played for double points following the postponement of the January 3 game. 

The outcome of this match may well decide whether Tigers make it into the end of season play-offs.

GM Telford Tigers gave two spirited fightbacks this weekend, but it was the getting into trouble in the first place that cost them four points as they fell 6-4 at home to Romford and 7-5 on the road at  Swindon

In both matches, the Tigers found themselves on the wrong side of a  5-0 scoreline, making life hard for themselves as they battle to retain their place in the play-offs.

Saturday saw the team matching Romford in the early stages, and Ashley Stanton came close when he put the puck right across the goalmouth, gliding along the line, but not going over. However, Raiders made it on to the scoresheet at 17:39, and added another for 2-0 going into the break.

Two quick goals early in the second, as Romford skated rings around Tigers’ defence, and another at the halfway mark left Tigers reeling. 

Hard-working young Ashley Calvert did everything but score, and it  took until 37:30 for Telford to make any real impact on the game, when high-man Marek Hornak scored a stunning breakaway shorthanded goal, assisted by Claude Dumas.

The goal – and a period break pep talk – saw Tigers looking much more positive as they came out for the third and Tom Carlon was celebrating within four minutes as he popped the puck in at close range.

Tigers started to run into penalty trouble, with Andrew McKinney and James Knight both picking up misconducts.

Captain Daniel Mackriel hit a fast goal from a face-off at 51:48, and brought the game tantalisingly close with a further powerplay goal with five minutes to go.

Tigers continued to push hard for the equaliser, but Romford stretched the lead with a rebound goal at 54:51 and, despite pulling goalie Davey Lawrence for the extra man, Telford  couldn’t improve on the 6-4 scoreline.

Fractured

During the match Tigers lost defencemen Jake Armstrong and Alex Symonds to injuries, but did benefit from the return of Brit Scott Williams, finally back on the bench after a long lay-off with a fractured wrist.

Afterwards, Williams said: “Despite the score, it feels so good to be back with the lads. I need to get my fitness back to 100 per cent.

“My wrist is getting a lot stronger and it was great to get back on the ice, although I had to keep it to short shifts until I get back to match fitness. It’s nice to be the extra body on the bench to help my team mates and, when I get my chances, to step up and take them.”

Armstrong didn’t make the trip to Swindon on Sunday and, again, Symonds was unable to finish the game. And it was a familiar story on  the ice as Wildcats took a 3-0 lead in the first period, despite some good play from Tigers.

There were a further two goals in the middle session, but this time Tigers got onto the scoresheet earlier, with Tom Carlon netting a powerplay goal at 24:29. 

The third line continued the fightback as Ashley Calvert scored at 30:44, assisted by Scott Williams and Andrew McKinney.

Man of the match James Knight made it 5-3 half a minute later and  Daniel Mackriel added a powerplay goal at 33:12.

It didn’t end there, as former Wildcat Marek Hornak again made a deadly dash from the blue line to score against his old side, giving Tigers the equaliser at 42:29. However, within seconds, a Telford error enabled Swindon to regain the lead and they scored again towards the end of the game to take it 7-5.

Tigers have a busy schedule this week, with a rare midweek game, away to Milton Keynes on Thursday, before meeting Swindon Wildcats at Telford Ice Rink on Saturday (5.30pm). 

Sunday’s away game at Romford is the big one however – played for double points following the postponement of the January 3 game. 

The outcome of this match may well decide whether Tigers make it into the end of season play-offs.

By CAROLINE GARBETT