Telford Tigers trying to get in the swing for play-offs
Head coach Tom Watkins wants Telford Tigers to tee-up a shot at play-off glory – and keep him off the golf course.
The Tigers face Solihull Barons in this weekend’s first round of the NIHL play-offs, travelling to play the first leg tonight before hosting the second tomorrow at Telford Ice Rink.
Watkins is desperate for his team to make a deep post-season run, even if it means having less time for his other sporting passion.
He explained: “I love golf and with the weather getting warmer this is the time of year when I typically start getting out on the course.
“But I will be happy to be kept off it if it means we are still playing hockey long into April.”
Watkins believes the Tigers hold a psychological advantage over the Barons after thumping their rivals 9-3 in last Sunday’s final Moralee Conference fixture.
It concluded a frustrating end to the regular season which saw Telford narrowly miss out on the title.
Watkins said: “Of course, there is disappointment but as a club I think we can hold our heads up high with what we achieved. It all starts again now with the play-offs. We have played some really good, competitive hockey over the course of the season and want to continue that.
“The Barons will not be easy opponents but I do think we have given ourselves a psychological edge.
“If we don’t make the final four, it will be a disappointment.”
