Tigers NIHL Claw 2 Points From Hawks

With only a handful of games left in the season, Tigers NIHL traveled to face Blackburn Hawks in need of league points.
Things are really hotting up with only five points seperating six teams and Tigers just two points adrift of the Hawks.

The first period was a tight affair as both teams created early chances without any success. Hawks' netminder, Nik Trapans, was the busier of the two goalies, turning away 16 shots, whilst Tigers' Daniel Brittle made 9 saves and the period ended 0-0.

The trend continued into the second period with both netminders making impressive stops. The crowd were made to wait until 30.27 to see the first goal of the game, which went to the Hawks' leading scorer Rick Bentham as he put his side 1-0 up. At 35.14 Adam Brittle converted a power play opportunity for the Tigers, with his one time shot finally finding away past Trapans in the Hawks goal. Just before the break, Hawks were awarded a power play of their own, where Jozef Istocy capitalised and put his side up 2-1 going into the break.

The Tigers were up against it, starting the third period with 3.16 left of a Hawks power play. After a successful kill for the Tigers, momentum started to build for the away side. And at 47.15 they were back level thanks to an Adam Brittle wrist shot. Just two minutes and ten seconds later Telford were ahead for the first time in the game when Karol Jets found space in front of the net and slotted the puck expertly past Trapans. At 53.54 the puck fell invitingly to Luke Brittle and the forward made no mistake in completing the Tigers come back making the score 4-2.

The two points lifts Tigers off the foot of the table and level in points the Hawks. Tigers coach Daniel Mackriel commented, "Tonight I thought we showed a lot of character and throughly deserved the two points. Blackburn isn't an easy place to go and play and they made us work hard.

"Defensively as a group, I thought we looked a lot better and going forward, we were dangerous and creative. It could have been a lot more than four goals, but their keeper played a very good game and deserved his man of the match.

"We have three games left to save our league status and they're against three very good sides. It'll be tough but we are more than capable of playing anyone if we show the commitment, work rate and desire we did tonight."

Tigers travel to Scotland next Saturday to face leaders Solway Sharks.

Updated 00:00 - 3 Sep 2019 by Jason Parry