Telford Titans saw their old penalty woes come back to haunt them when they went down 6-3 at Coventry Blaze in the English National Ice Hockey League.

Saturday night’s encounter had promised to be a much tighter affair, with both sides virtually neck-and-neck in the race for fourth spot in the division one standings.

But the absence of imports Marek Hornak and Karol Jets, plus skipper Mike Roden, meant Telford went into the game with their attacking options much reduced.

And coach Dave Fielder believes that led to a frustrating opening 20 minutes.

He said: “It was a case of us having a really bad first period and we took a lot of penalties.

“It was a bit like the game we played against Nottingham at home, when we got wound up because they were winding us up. We got some very silly penalties and lost the period 3-0.”

Goals from Luke Brittle, Shaun Weeks and James Corfield did, however, give Telford brief hope of a comeback as they pulled the score back to 4-3 by the middle of the third period.

But those 26 minutes in penalties taken by Telford during the first period eventually proved crucial as two further strikes sealed the points for Coventry.

Fielder added: “Even without the players that were missing, we could have beaten them – if it wasn’t for the first period.

“We can still beat anyone in the league on our day.”

Sunday’s clash at home to Whitley Warriors was postponed after the north-east side were forced to cut their journey short and turn back due to heavy snowfalls.

l The game at Coventry proved to be Daniel Brittle’s final game for the Telford Titans.

The netminder left the game – and the club – after the first period.

Telford will be looking to re-group as they prepare for Sunday’s clash at home to league leaders Nottingham Lions.

By James Shaw