NIHL Final Four Playoffs semi-final: Telford Tigers 4 Peterborough Phantoms 1 - Report and pictures

Saturday saw them face off against the Phantoms at Coventry Arena in an exciting semi-final, having gotten there by overcoming Sheffield Steeldogs in the northern section of the NIHL Moralee Play Offs.

Tigers were slow to get going and had trouble clearing the puck from their defensive zone early on, providing Peterborough with opportunities.

But as the game went on, they started to gain the ascendancy with Jason Silverthorn, Jonathan Weaver and Adam Taylor all going close.

Tigers finally made their possession dominance pay in the 16th minute, when Weaver’s shot from the blue line was tipped on goal by Silverthorn. Euan King in the Phantoms’ goal saved the shot with his pads, but Ricky Plant was in the perfect position to fire home the rebound.

The Phantoms then started the second period on top, with Scott McKenzie tipping a shot inches wide. But in the 26th minute, Peterborough took a too many men penalty, putting Tigers on the power play.

Joe Miller hit the inside of the post with a powerful wrist shot but the puck somehow didn’t cross the line and was cleared. But the pressure continued and, while still on the power play, Tigers scored their second goal.

Weaver’s shot was deflected into the path of McKenzie who made no mistake with a close range finish.

Tigers added a third goal in the 31st minute while on a further power play. After gaining control in the Peterborough zone, Weaver hit a firm pass to the far post for Macaulay Halford to tap home. Peterborough responded with a goal from James White when Tigers couldn’t clear the puck and got caught with some tired players on the ice. But they ended the period with further pressure on the Peterborough goal despite not being able to add to the score. The period ended with Tigers 3-1 ahead.

Peterborough started the third period much better and Tigers’ net minder Denis Bell was called into action a number of times, making three crucial saves – including a miss-hit clearance from Weaver – during a Peterborough power play.

Peterborough laid siege to the Tigers’ goal late on, with Bell proving to be a one-man wall. As the game entered the final minute, McKenzie won the puck in his own defensive zone and sent it the length of the ice into an empty goal, Phantoms having pulled King for an extra attacker, for his second of the game, sealing a 4-1 victory.

After the game, coach Tom Watkins said: “After a tentative start we got into the game and to win the first two periods gave us that little cushion. What a relief it was when Scott managed to seal it.”