Telford Tigers deliver themselves a perfect early Christmas present

The Tigers closed the gap on the Sharks - one of the sides they are chasing for an NIHL National League play-off spot - a day after conceding double figures in a 10-6 defeat at Sheffield Steeldogs.

Devon Skoleski (two), Scott McKenzie, James Smith and Adam Harding were on target for Telford, much to the delight of Watkins.

“That was a big win for us on home ice going into Christmas and bouncing back after a very poor night in Sheffield," said the head coach. "We started a little nervy, but in the moments that mattered we made a difference, the penalty shot goal and the following power play to make it 4-1.

"It was good to see us take advantage of that opportunity and get a three-goal lead. Brad (Day) looked like he was seeing the puck well with some timely stops and going into the third period, although we didn’t get the start we wanted we played smart and were able to shut down the Sharks’ top line.”

A closely-contested first period saw Skoleski put the home side in front with a deflection off Ryan Leese’s shot - but Liam Stenton levelled for the visitors within a minute with a shot from the blue line.

Early in the second period, Tigers were ahead again when McKenzie scored after a goalmouth scramble.

Midway through the game, Tigers were awarded a penalty shot when Skoleski was taken down when on a breakaway. He skated in on goal and shot wide of the netminder’s glove and into the net to double the Tigers’ lead.

Shortly after, the home side scored again as Smith fired home from the slot while on the power play.

In the opening minute of the third period, Solway pulled a goal back through Nolan Gardiner, who hit a fierce shot past Brad Day to reduce the deficit.

With 10 minutes of the game left, Harding scored to restore Telford’s three-goal lead and allow them to see out the rest of the game to seal the two points.