Jets grounded - but Tigers fall flat
There was a clear case of deja vu as GM Telford Tigers played back-to-back games with Slough Jets and each time the travelling team won 6-3.
There was a clear case of deja vu as GM Telford Tigers played back-to-back games with Slough Jets and each time the travelling team won 6-3.
Tigers pulled off a superb road victory on Saturday, with captain Daniel Mackriel picking up the man of the match award for his two stunning goals against Jets.
However, just 24 hours later a major penalty and a washed-out goal helped Tigers limp to a 3-6 loss.
Slough opened the scoring in Berkshire with a five-on-three powerplay goal, but Marek Hornak was on target at 10:48 with a close range shot.
Mackriel skated in to put Tigers ahead and Hornak made it 3-1 going into the break.
Although Slough narrowed the deficit, young Ashley Calvert faked the Jets defence out of their skins to score at 28:43, assisted by Ashley Stanton.
A goal just before the buzzer made it 3-4 to Tigers.
When Slough coughed up the puck in their zone at 44:58, Mackriel was there to fire it into the roof of the net, and Jason Cassells broke away to make it 6-3 at 52:03.
Although the team was euphoric about gaining two valuable English Premier League points in such a harsh rink as Slough's 'Hangar', their delight was shortlived.
Sunday saw Tigers take a very early lead with a blistering shot from Cassells after just 20 seconds, but the Canadian was ejected from the game at 10:26 for high sticks – a harsh call as Cassells' swing at the puck connected with a low-skating Kevin Phillips.
Telford almost saw out the resulting five-minute penalty, but Slough were able to equalise.
Tom Carlon restored the lead with a tremendous shorthanded wrist shot at 14:34, fed by James Knight and Sam Zajac, and Tigers looked in control as Slough gave them a powerplay.
But a defensive slip saw the visitors score shorthanded through Joe Ciccarello to make it 2-2 and a further powerplay goal in the opening minute of the second period put the Jets in the lead.
Slough pulled further ahead when the puck trickled over the line at 26:08 and Tigers had a goal washed out soon after. Had it stood, the score of 3-4 may have spurred the home side on.
As it was, their heads dropped and Slough – looking ever more confident – added their fifth and sixth goals through Ciccarello.
There were still flashes of hope - James Knight scored a superb wraparound goal at 48:11, and Slough lost their top dangermen when Ciccarello was thrown out of the game after a check from behind and Steve Moria was stretchered off with suspected torn knee ligaments.
But by then, there was little left in the Tigers' tanks and they limped through the final minutes of the game.
Man of the match was new recruit Andrew McKinney, making his debut this weekend from the Telford under-18s, who impressed with his skill and speed.
"I don't know that I played the best, but I was lucky enough to get man of the match," said McKinney.
"It's been a big step up from under-18s hockey. I have just been trying my best. I got the chance to go and play in Slough and we had a really good game there, but we didn't play as well as a team today.
Tipped by Claude Dumas as a hot prospect, the 17-year-old was born in Hamilton, Ontario, but grew up near Chester.
McKinnney added: "I have been playing up at Deeside, but have just come back from living in Canada and decided to play for Telford under-18s instead. This is what I really want though, to be playing at this level."
Tigers face a tough double-away weekend as they travel to the Isle of Wight on Saturday, before heading to Peterborough on Sunday.
The team's next home game is Saturday, January 31, against Bracknell Bees.
By CAROLINE GARBETT
