Tom Watkins hails character shown by Telford Tigers

Tigers defeated Murrayfield Racers 9-4 on Saturday and followed it up with a 5-3 win at Billingham Stars 24 hours later.

Stars were leading 3-2 towards the end of the second period when they had the benefit of a controversial officiating decision.

Tigers thought they had equalised when the puck entered the net from a fierce shot by Doug Clarkson. But none of the officials saw it, despite the puck hitting the back bar of the net and bouncing out.

Watkins said: “I really enjoyed the game and, of course, I’m pleased to get the two points on the road.

“I think both teams played hard, battled and the commitment was there from both clubs, which created a good atmosphere and I’m sure people will agree it was an exciting game of hockey. I think both goalies were excellent and made some big saves.

“We had to show some character to come from behind in the third and it will be interesting to see the goal that was not given on the video, as we were all sure it was a goal, as were several of the Billingham players.”

Billingham opened the scoring in an even first period through Darren Stattersfield while on a power play after a slashing foul by Nick Oliver.

But, after James Moss had taken a slashing penalty, it took the visitors just 10 seconds of the second period to level with Andy McKinney firing home from Jonathan Weaver’s pass.

Tigers took the lead in the 27th minute when Scott McKenzie broke into the Billingham zone and threaded a pass to Ricky Plant who found the net with a precise shot.

Billingham were then given another power play after Tigers’ Brodie Jesson was called for clipping and Chris Sykes beat netminder Tom Hovell with a low shot.

Tigers ended the period behind after another ill-advised penalty. Hovell was called for delay of the game and Billingham took full advantage of the extra man with Sykes netting again.

The visitors thought they had levelled through Clarkson, but they didn’t let the injustice affect them and started the final period strongly to level three minutes in with McKenzie finishing off a neat passing move.

Three minutes later, Tigers took the lead when Clarkson scored a goal that was awarded, finishing off McKenzie’s pass with a shot that gave netminder James Flavell no chance.

As the game entered its final stages, Billingham pulled Flavell for an extra attacker and went close to getting the goal they needed to level the game. However, it would be Tigers who would seal the victory with an empty net goal from McKenzie with 26 seconds left.