Seven-up for Telford Tigers in win at Blackburn Hawks

Tigers went into the game in top spot after being awarded two points by the EHIA earlier in the week.

They were given a 5-0 win over Whitley Warriors after the original game was cancelled due to the Whitley coach breaking down on route to Telford.

Tigers had offered Whitley two alternative weekend dates to stage the game, which were turned down. Therefore, the game was awarded to Telford.

Scott McKenzie opened the scoring in the first minute for Tigers, who had Bristol Pitbulls loanee Ross Miller as netminder.

The second period saw Tigers improve their passing and add to their lead just 54 seconds into the period with Joe Aston scoring. Five minutes later, Blackburn scored a goal from Robin Kovar to halve the deficit.

But Tigers answered back with two goals in quick succession. Jason Silverthorn netted from close range, followed by Adam Taylor scoring with a deft finish from Ricky Plant’s pass.

The third period saw Tigers see out the game with three further goals.

Fin Howells scored his second senior goal for the fifth, followed by strikes from Plant and Silverthorn’s second of the game.

Coach Tom Watkins said: “That’s big a two points for the boys. It was a potential banana skin for us against a dangerous team on home ice.

"We made a great start to each period which meant we were able to play with the lead all night. Our stand in goalie Ross Miller played a great game, stepping up into what was a very important game for us.

"He settled in very well and didn’t look like conceding after some good saves. I would like to thank the Bristol Pitbulls for making him available to us. I was very pleased with our performance.”