Raging Telford Tigers boss Tom Watkins tore into the officiating that left his and his players unable to accept a “horrendous” play-off decision.
Referees James Ions and Daniel Ferguson awarded Peterborough Phantoms a controversial sudden death overtime winner in Saturday’s Final Four semi-final meeting in Coventry.
The flashpoint arrived after Watkins’ men had twice fought from a two-goal deficit to force overtime for a place in the NIHL final.
It was judged Phantoms’ winning goal in the 5-4 clash had crossed the line, a call argued vehemently by Tigers. A furious Watkins labelled the decision “the most horrendous” he has ever seen and said it ended nine months of work from his side.
Disbelief
Watkins raged: “I’m having a really hard time communicating my disappointment and disbelief to what went on in our semi-final game.
“My players and I can’t accept that result. We win or we lose – that’s hockey, but on Saturday we didn’t lose.
“The game was decided for us by the officials, who made a huge error and didn’t have the courtesy or professionalism to offer an explanation or discuss the situation at all with us.
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