The visitors to the Link Centre on Saturday night are last season’s League champions, the Telford Tigers. It has been an up and down year so far for the Tigers, their season has been much like the one we’ve experienced here in Swindon. Some great victories but a struggle to find consistency has hindered both teams. This evening should be a close game between two very well matched teams and the Wildcats will be hoping that home ice gives them the edge they need to grab the two points on Saturday.
Head coach Tom Watkins remains in charge, this will be his 13th consecutive season in Telford and coming off back-to-back league title wins the Tigers will once more be strong on the ice.
Starting at the back end, Brad Day is back once more in net for Telford and he’ll be a very strong presence in goal that will give the Tigers a solid base in every game they play. He is backed up by young goalie, Ryan Lewis, who has joined from Telford Tigers 2. While there is a clear starter Lewis will be looking to push Day for starts all season long.
On the blue line there is continuity and the majority of the Tigers defensive corps have returned for this season and the key signings to look out for are veteran 45 year-old Jonathan Weaver and the experienced 27 year-old Daniel Rose.
In the forward ranks there is a real split when it comes to age and experience, the Tigers have 3 forwards over the age of 40. Imports Jason Silverthorn and Vladimir Luka both return and so does veteran British forward Ricky Plant. These players bring a wealth of skill and experience to the team but that has to be offset against age catching up with all three.
You then contrast this with two up and coming forwards who have already been performing to a high level and are both poised to have real breakout seasons and establish themselves as top level players in the NIHL National. Bayley Harewood and Finley Howells are back for the Tigers and these two young stars will be very important to the success of the team on the ice.
