Telford Tigers coach Tom Watkins smiling as winning streak continues

Watkins shrugged off a defensive error in the 6-3 win over Peterborough Phantoms, and said: "As long as we're winning, then I'm happy."

Tigers made the most of a quick start against Phantoms to retain their unbeaten home record and maintain their three-point advantage at the top of the standings.

Watkins, who has now steered his side to five successive wins, said: "It was a good start from the guys and I was happy with a 3-1 lead at the end of the first period.

"To be fair, it should have been 3-0, as I thought we gave up a bit of a soft goal off a defensive face-off, but that shows if you put the puck in on net, then good things happen."

"As long as we're winning, then I'm happy."

Another 800-plus crowd at Telford Ice Rink saw the Tigers take control early on, scoring after just over minute, thanks to Doug Clarkson.

Peterborough hit back almost straight away, however, before Matty Davies regained the lead for Telford on eight minutes.

Captain Jason Silverthorn doubled the Tigers' advantage three minutes later, giving the hosts a 3-1 lead at the interval.

The second session started with a fourth goal for Telford, this time from Rick Plant, but Peterborough added their second at the halfway point of the game.

Silverthorn and Clarkson wrapped up the scoring for the Tigers with goals before the end of the session, while the Phantoms secured a consolation goal just before full time.

Watkins added: "It was good to see Dougie get some good shots away and he was rewarded for that with two goals.

"We got pucks to the net, created some rebounds and again got some lucky breaks at the front."

On Saturday, Tigers picked up a 5-1 away win over Bracknell Bees. They never looked in serious danger after finishing the first period with a 2-0 lead, outshooting their opponents by almost three-to-one.

Watkins said: "I thought we started well and at 2-0 I was happy with that. But I am still a bit frustrated with the fact that when we create, we're our own worst enemy.

"We don't seem to bury these clean cut chances that we get. I said a few weeks ago about us needing to be ruthless and making sure we bear down, so we're ready when we get these opportunities.

"It makes such a big difference."

The first period saw Telford establish an early cushion with a goal from Jonathan Weaver on four minutes. They were unable add to that total until just before the break – thanks to a fine tip-in from Davies.

Bracknell got back into it at the halfway point of the game, when Matt Foord hit back with a powerplay strike.

But Milan Kolena's short-range strike, after Silverthorn's initial shot was saved, restored the advantage.

In the final period, Telford added a fourth goal early on – thanks to Corey McEwen – before Kolena almost stole the show with a fine solo effort that went marginally wide.

Clarkson rounded off proceedings for Telford with a close-range goal just before the final buzzer.

The Tigers return to action when they host Guildford Flames at Telford Ice Rink.