Andy McKinney bags a hat-trick for Tigers

The Moralee Division table-topping Tigers were in rampant form on Saturday with Jason Silverthorn (two), Scott McKenzie and Jonathan Weaver also on target against a side who were in ninth position, just a point and a place off the all important eighth place for play-off qualification.

Tigers had won all three previous league games against the Stars this season scoring a total of 26 goals in those games.

And delighted coach Tom Watkins said: “I thought we had a decent start, created a lot of chances and were aggressive on our forecheck.

“We fell behind in the main due to some outstanding goalkeeping from James Flavell.

“He was equal to everything we shot at him and credit to Billingham they worked extremely hard and I was particularly impressed with their younger players.

“Andy McKinney grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and turned the game on its head in the space of a few minutes.

“He was a real leader, came up big and scored a hat-trick, which created some daylight between the two teams, allowing us to take control and find a way past their goalie.”

Tigers lined up without Dan Mitchell and Corey Goodison but welcomed back Joe Hazeldine. In goal for Telford was Tom Hovell.

The first period was one for Tigers to forget. Despite having plenty of shots at Flavell, none went in. In the 16th minute of the period, Billingham took a shock lead through Kristers Bormanis, a lead they held at the end of the period.

Tigers used the break to their advantage and equalised in the 24th minute when captain Jason Silverthorn was set up by Ricky Plant. Tigers were then given a great chance to take the lead when Billingham’s Michael Bowman was given a slashing penalty. However, a breakdown at the Tigers’ blue line gave Billingham’s Craig Thurston a short handed chance which he scored to put the hosts back into the lead.

Tigers were then handed another power-play chance when netminder Flavell was deemed to have committed a delay of game penalty. This time Tigers took full advantage of the extra man with Scott McKenzie scoring to level the game.

Tigers then scored two further goals in just eight seconds – both were bagged by McKinney and both were set up by Silverthorn, with Tigers remarkably going from a 2-1 deficit to a 4-2 lead in 24 seconds.

Tigers continued the scoring as the period came to an end with McKinney completing his hat-trick in the 32nd minute for Tigers’ fifth. McKinney’s three goals were scored in just two minutes and 33 seconds.

The final goal of the period belonged to Tigers’ Jonathan Weaver while on another power play. Weaver’s strike gave Tigers a 6-2 advantage at the end of the second period.

Tigers controlled the third period and sealed the victory in the 58th minute when Silverthorn scored his second of the night from close range.

Tigers’ win maintains top spot in the league, a point ahead of Sheffield Steeldogs.