'Silly' infringements prove costly for Telford Tigers against title-chasers Manchester Phoenix

Tigers faced a fellow form side in the English Premier League at the Telford Ice Rink, but their performance was littered with errors around the penalty box.

Sunday's defeat followed a 4-3 victory at Bracknell Bees on Saturday, with Telford looking to retain their momentum following last weekend's play-off qualification.

But a string of minor penalties in both games became Telford's Achilles heel, as their opponents struck numerous times on the power-play.

Coach Tom Watkins admitted that the failure of his side's penalty-killing unit was a bitter pill to swallow.

He said: "It was a tough game against Manchester on Sunday, between two very committed sides, although there was a lot of scrappy play.

"It probably wasn't the best game to watch, and we took a lot of silly minor penalties.

"It was frustrating, because that meant we couldn't really get going."

Saturday's game in Bracknell saw the hosts lead after just nine minutes, thanks to a strike from Oliver Bronnimann.

Timo Kuuluvainen hit back for Telford five minutes later, while captain Scott McKenzie put the visitors in front at the start of the second period.

That lead didn't last long, however, as Bracknell hit back through Bronnimann.

Lukas Smital gave the Bees a 3-2 advantage at the halfway point of the evening, but Adam Walker's 37th-minute power-play goal ensured the game entered overtime.

Neither side could find a way past the netminders in the extra five minutes, so it was left to Telford to collect two points after penalty shots.

Watkins said: "It wasn't a great performance against Bracknell and we took some minor penalties, which put us on the back foot a little bit.

"At the end of the night, however, we came away with two points, which is great – but I did expect more from the guys."

Sunday's encounter with title-chasing Manchester was watched by another near-capacity crowd, with supporters again forced to stand downstairs.

James Archer gave the visitors a seventh-minute lead, before Marek Mikusovic collected his first goal of the weekend on 19 minutes.

That stalemate didn't last long, however, as Manchester regained the initiative through Richard Bentham on 26 minutes.

A strike from Walker brought the two sides level just moments later, but Frantisek Bakrlik again opened up a gap with four minutes of the second period remaining.

Scott McKenzie's disputed goal ensured Telford started the third period on level terms, before Manchester established a game-winning lead through Andrew McKinney and Bakrlik.

Ricky Plant's 51st-minute strike gave fans hope of a comeback, but the Tigers were unable to break down a tough Phoenix rearguard.

"Manchester were very strong on the puck and made it very hard for us to play," Watkins added.

"We kept hanging on and coming back, especially at the start of the third period.

"It was essential for us to take the lead at that point, but it didn't happen for us."

Telford must now regroup for Saturday's trip to Slough Jets, before the return fixture in Shropshire on Sunday (5.30pm).