Telford Tigers build big first-leg lead against Sheffield Steeldogs

The Steeldogs may have finished the regular season top of the table, but they were no match for a Tigers side that was missing Dale White and Nick Oliver but included Joe Miller after his surprise return this week.

Tigers started the game on the front foot from the puck drop. Adam Taylor’s speedy break saw his wrist shot hit the crossbar and was followed by Ricky Plant and Jason Silverthorn going close.

They took the lead in the ninth minute when Adam Jones’ shot took a double deflection off Silverthorn and then Plant before going into the top right hand corner of the goal past the unsighted Sheffield netminder Dimitri Zimozdra.

Silverthorn then hit the crossbar with a wrist shot. As the period reached the final two minutes, Sheffield’s Adrian Palak took a hooking penalty and Tigers took full advantage.

Miller made a fantastic toe drag to keep the puck away from Sheffield’s defence and threaded a pass to the far post for Warren Tait to tap home.

Sheffield started the second period much better and ex-Tigers player Milan Kolena hit a powerful shot off the bar in the opening minute.

But Tigers broke straight to the other end with Weaver finding Macaulay Halford, who passed to Scott McKenzie to fire into the net for the third goal.

Tigers continued to dominate and added a fourth when Plant sent a superb pass to Silverthorn who broke away down the middle of the ice, out paced the Sheffield defence, and hit a perfect shot into the roof of the net.

Tigers then hit the post again, this time from Weaver’s long-range shot. The hosts ended the period with a fifth goal, Miller hit a shot from a tight angle and McKenzie slotted the rebound into the net.

At the start of the third period, Sheffield changed net minder, with Brandon Stones replacing Zimozdra.

Tigers continued to fire in plenty of shots and were rewarded with a sixth goal when Filip Supa scored with a wrap around goal which was banked off Stones into the goal.

Home net minder Denis Bell was called into action a number of times towards the end, including one sensational save from a Sheffield break away, Bell managing to save the puck after a full length dive across his goal to ensure that he gained his ninth shut out of the season.

Coach Tom Watkins said: “It was a dominant performance for the full 60 minutes. I really liked the tempo and intensity we played with.

"All the guys bought in to a simple plan and we managed to keep them on their heels all night. There were some outstanding individual performances which paved the way for an excellent team performance and result.

"Every line contributed offensively which, as a coach, is very pleasing as it’s hard to play against a team who have that spread offensively.”