Telford Tigers hunting a home revival

The Tigers, currently propping up the English Premier Ice Hockey League after starting the season with six straight defeats on the road, entertain Peterborough Phantoms (5.30pm).

It will be the first home game of the campaign after their Telford Ice Rink base underwent a major revamp over the summer.

Tigers' early-season preparations have been affected so much they have been forced to stage late night training sessions at the homes of their Midlands rivals.

But player-coach Tom Watkins is hoping his side will draw inspiration from the return to their plush new surroundings.

"Every game has been away from home and all the other teams have played more games than us," said Watkins.

"We have lost all of our games so far but other than the first one against Guildford, each game has been a one or two goal game.

"We have also had almost no practice time or pre-season apart from the odd practice at Coventry and Solihull in the middle of the night.

"It has been a difficult time but I think our fortunes will change now we are back in Telford and we will see where this team should really be."

Chairman Alan Gould admitted the club had been also been hit in the pocket during its hiatus.

"It has been very difficult having no home ice because we depend on our fans for an income so from a financial point of view Sunday cannot come quick enough," he said.

He added that the club had attracted bumper crowds of up to 500 people in previous seasons and he was hopeful of another big turn out to mark the occasion this weekend.

Tigers have also received a boost ahead of the game with the signing of Elliot Knell from Sheffield Spartans.

Watkins said: "He has a good head for the game, good size and ability."

But Luke Brittle (shoulder) and Thomas Soar (broken wrist) will miss the game through injury.