In contrast to last week, Telford Tigers put in two stunning performances over the weekend against top of the league Manchester Phoenix - although sadly the stats will still record the team as failing to win both games.

"It's a different type of disappointment, but a lot easier to live with," said player-coach Tom Watkins.

"All in all there were a lot of positives. Most importantly we were able to leave the ice with our heads held high, which we haven't always been able to do in recent games."

The home leg on Saturday saw Tigers strike first, with Joe Henry scoring after just 55 seconds, assisted by Scott McKenzie. Manchester equalised after seven minutes and put the puck over Martin Clarkson's shoulder to take a tight 2-1 lead.

A heavy check on Luke Brittle saw Tigers' Daniel Croft step in to defend his young team mate, and go toe-to-toe with Phoenix enforcer Andrew Sharp, both picking up 2+2 for roughing and Sharp leaving the ice for some time with a bleeding mouth.

That Telford were prepared to stand up for themselves seemed to unsettle Manchester, who were much quieter in the goalless second period.
 
However, a beaut of an equaliser from Andrejs Maslovskis, receiving the puck from Andy McKinney in the Tigers zone and taking it full length to shoot at 47:53 seemed to give Phoenix the wake-up call they needed.

Tigers held on until 58:14, but Kristofferson stole the game winner and then added an empty netter ten seconds from time as Telford tried desperately to push the game into overtime.

Afterwards Watkins said: "I think we gifted them two of the goals, but we kept going and the difference this week was that we played for each other.

"Martin Clarkson was outstanding in goal for us, and Luke Brittle played very well to get man of the match but, to be fair, everyone contributed tonight. We really made Manchester work for the points.

"Luke took a big hit and Croft wasn't happy about the way it had been done, so went in on their import. Manchester didn't like that so Sharp went for Croft. I have been saying that the lads need to back each other up, be there for one another, and Croft is a tough guy and can handle himself.

"I think the fight gave us more of a lift than it did them. I'm not sure Manchester were expecting anyone to stand up to Sharp, although the fight ended pretty even."

Tigers travelled for the return leg in Manchester without import Tomas Janak - who picked up a suspected concussion at the end of Saturday's game - and were further depleted by injuries to Luke Brittle and Andy McKinney during Sunday's match.

Manchester took a two-goal lead in the first and extended it to 5-0 in the middle session. They then decided to switch goalies, putting in back-up Adam Summerfield, which inspired Tigers to a three-goal fightback with Daniel MacKriel scoring either side of a Jack Watkins strike.

Manchester's response was to reinstate Stephen Fone in goal and, although they scored just one more, Tigers were unable to break through with the game ending 6-3.

Watkins summed it up, saying: "We went behind but when they changed goalies we got back into it. But then we took some silly pointless penalties in the third and never got the opportunity to make a push.

"But we kept going and showed the kind of commitment I need to see. We played some very good hockey.

"As coach, I can take heart from the way we competed and I think the way Manchester changed their goalie twice showed their frustration.

"We kept it tight and gave a good account of ourselves."

Next weekend sees Tigers travelling to Basingstoke on Saturday and at home to Bracknell Bees on Sunday (5.30pm).