The Taylors Butchers NIHL Coventry Blaze fell to another one goal loss as the visiting Telford Tigers left with all the points after a 7-6 win. Telford got off to a flying start, going three up after two minutes with the Blaze barely finding time to get their stride. Dale White pulls one back midway through the first but a Luke Smith penalty gives the Tigers a man advantage and Telford jump on it to finish off the period 4-1.
Coventry quickly pulled two back after the break, coach James Pease richochets his shot off a Telford stick before Philip Pollok chases down a long pass from Sam Hammerton to cut Telfords lead to one. The home fans cheers are still ringing around the Skydome when Telford put another past Chris Gill. White gets another, forcing a goalmouth scramble across the line. Again the Tigers quickly regain the advantage which puts the score at 6-4 and Gill is replaced by Elite League backup Connor Ranby. Dale Buckland finds Hammerton open across ice to put the Blaze down by one and once again Telford pile on the pressure and get another goal to extend the lead before the final period.
Coventry up the pressure and it final pays off as man of the match Corey Goodison puts the puck top corner to once again pull the Blaze within one. Coventry can almost feel the point and throw everything at the Telford net but the Tigers defence hold strong to see out the draw.
The NIHL Coventry Blaze will face the Hull Jets this Sunday at the Skydome.
Report by Marcus Gambrill
Photo: Coventry Blaze's Philip Pollock. (Photo by Scott Wiggins - www.scottwiggins.co.uk)
