Luke Brittle puts presure on a host of Phoenix defenders and their netminder

Triumphant Telford Trojans have scooped the English under-18s ice hockey league title with an emphatic 4-1 win over Manchester Phoenix, putting the Shropshire lads ahead of nearest rivals Sheffield.

The penultimate game of the season saw Telford on the road, knowing that victory would seal a tremendous season where they have dropped only one game – to the formerly dominant Sheffield side, who they led on goal difference.

Matches at Phoenix are always competitive, and Trojans were aware that they would need good discipline as well as skill to lift the league crown.

The side went into the game at Manchester aiming to take an early lead and did just that with a hard shot from Dan Schutte getting a tip-in from Callum Taylor at 1:35.

The Phoenix responded soon after, but Taylor restored the lead, assisted by Mike Steventon.

End to end hockey played out the period, and Manchester had several chances to equalise in the middle session.

However, netminder Ben Hunt demonstrated the fine form that has delivered a 93.6 per cent save average, as he turned away a succession of shots in the goalless second period.
The team was weakened by the loss of Dan Statham who was hospitalised with a recurrence of an old knee injury.

And the third period opened with a spate of penalties, as Phoenix battled hard to come back at Telford.

The Trojans took advantage of a charging call to add a powerplay goal at 48:48, Edward Eaton putting the puck in the top corner, assisted by James Warman.

Further pressure on the Manchester defence was rewarded when Adam Taylor wrapped up the scoring with Telford’s fourth goal, completing a great pass from Callum Taylor.

The Phoenix were beaten and their frustration overflowed as one of their number received 67 minutes in penalties with 75 seconds to go.

That failed to dampen Trojan spirits though, as the overjoyed Shropshire youngsters celebrated clinching the league title – a fitting reward for a season of splendid hard work from players, coaches and management.

The side now looks forward to playing Bracknell Drones from the Southern Division in the play-offs, with sights firmly set on the Under-18s National Finals, being held in Coventry on 11 May.

SCORERS: Callum Taylor 2+1; Adam Taylor 1+0; Edward Eaton 1+0; Dan Schutte 0+1; James Warman 0+1; Mike Steventon 0+1.