Telford Tigers issue play-off warning
Telford Tigers sent out an ominous message to their EPL play-off rivals with a pair of dominant victories over basement side Slough Jets.
A 5-2 success in Berkshire on Saturday night was followed just 24 hours later by a 6-1 win at Telford Ice Rink, as the Tigers made a welcome return to winning ways.
The weekend's results mean Telford are still on track to secure a highest-ever fifth place in the EPL standings, alongside their first play-off spot in 17 years.
Sunday's game, in particular, offered coach Tom Watkins the chance to give his younger players vital ice time, as he prepares his squad for the end-of-season tournament.
And those unsung heroes emerged as stars of the show against a hard-working Slough Jets outfit.
Watkins said: "It was good to put the game to bed early on Sunday. We didn't take our foot off the gas, but a lot of the players who don't normally get ice time were given a lot of minutes.
"Some of those guys might not play much against the bigger teams, so it was good that they used the experience well.
"Gareth O'Flaherty had a very good game, and James Smith got his first goal of the season. There were a lot of positives from them and they gave us the chance to rest our senior players in the third period."
The early stages of Saturday's game in Slough, however, offered little evidence of the dominant performances that lay ahead.
Telford were first on the scoreboard with a goal from Marek Mikusovic after 16 minutes, but the Jets snatched the initiative with two second-period goals.
A change of netminder on 42 minutes appeared to turn the game in the visitors' favour, as Joe Miller (2), Michal Pavlu and Nathan Salem sealed victory.
It was a different story on Sunday as Telford raced into a 4-0 first period lead, thanks to goals from Miller, Adam Taylor, James Smith and Mikusovic.
Slough hit back to end the first period 4-1 adrift, but further strikes from Taylor and Adam Walker secured an emphatic win.
"It was encouraging to see us go out, play hard and come back with no injuries," said Watkins.
Telford will now prepare for Saturday's visit of Guildford Flames (5.30pm), before a trip to champions Manchester Phoenix on Sunday.
