Match Preview

Tigers NIHL go into their league season this weekend, starting with a home fixture against local rivals, the Solihull Barons. This will be the second meeting between the teams, after the Barons edged a feisty pre-season win just two week ago.

There's always been a healthy competition between the two clubs in this local derby, ever since Chuck Taylor moved from the Barons to form the Telford Tigers in the mid eighties. Over the years there have been many incarnations of the Barons and Tigers, with both teams playing under different names.

Now the clubs are back to their original names and the rivalry is as strong as ever. This was no more so evident than two seasons ago when both teams gained promotion from the Laidler division, finishing one and two in the league. Then, in the playoff final, the Barons came from behind in the last four seconds to score the winning goal and break the Tigers' hearts.

Tigers NIHL have strengthened over the summer, bringing back some familiar faces to the their home town. Last seasons league winning coach, Daniel Mackriel, is now in place as head coach and from Blackburn he brings with him Daniel and Adam Brittle. Adam has finished as the leagues leading point scorer for the last two seasons, while his younger brother Daniel has led the netminders tables for the majority of the past seven seasons.

Mackriel has gone on to add depth to the already strong squad over the summer and the camp has had a real buzz around it in pre season. Captain Daniel Croft is looking forward to the start of the season; "Pre season training has progressed really well. It was good to see that the squad turned up in good shape, making the transition with new lines a little easier for new guys to settle in. I think we were unfortunate in Solihull during the build up to the season, missing out by just a single goal. But overall I think we played a solid game and, with some minor adjustments, we will be strong contenders going forward this season."

Tigers NIHL take on Solihull Barons on Saturday 10th September at Telford Ice Rink at 5.30pm. Tickets are available on the door priced at £7 for an adult and £4 for juniors. For further ticket details, please visit the website at tigersnihl.com