Hull Seahawks beat Telford Tigers 3-2 in a shootout at Hull Ice Arena on Saturday afternoon in the opening match of the NIHL play-off semi-finals, Bobby Chamberlain scoring both Hull's regulation goal and the decisive shootout winner as the sides could not be separated through sixty minutes and overtime. Bonner's power play goal at 54:20 levelled the match at 2-2 before a goalless overtime sent the match to a shootout, where Švec, Chamberlain and Capps all scored before Thomson's miss ended Telford's hopes.

Henderson and Thomson were directly involved in both Telford goals - Henderson scoring and Thomson assisting the first, Thomson scoring and Henderson assisting the second - making them the visitors' most dangerous combination throughout.

Telford lead, Hull level and go ahead - first period

Henderson gave Telford the lead at 4:56 from Mather and Thomson. Chamberlain levelled for Hull at 11:21 from Dylan Hehir and Stallard to make it 1-1. Kent was penalised for delay of game at 14:53 without consequence, and the first period ended 1-1.

Thomson restores Telford's lead in the second

Thomson scored at 26:54 - Henderson and McPhee assisting - to give Telford a 1-2 lead heading into the second break. The match was closely contested and nothing in the second period suggested the final margin either way.

Hull power play levels it - overtime settles nothing

Thomson was penalised for tripping at 42:06 in the third period, Fugalis for interference at 45:49, and Howells for tripping at 53:47 - the last of these producing the decisive moment. Bonner converted the power play at 54:20 from Corneil and Švec to level at 2-2 and send the match to overtime. Overtime produced no goals, and the shootout followed.

The shootout - Chamberlain wins it

Švec scored Hull's first attempt. McKenzie missed for Telford. Chamberlain scored Hull's second to make the shootout 2-0. Capps scored for Telford to make it 2-1. Corneil missed for Hull. Thomson missed for Telford. Hull win the shootout 2-1 and take the semi-final series opener.

Result: Hull Seahawks 3 – 2 Telford Tigers (SO)
Hull Seahawks scorers: Chamberlain 11:21 (A: D. Hehir, Stallard) - Bonner 54:20 PP (A: Corneil, Švec) - Chamberlain SO (65:00)
Telford Tigers scorers: Henderson 4:56 (A: Mather, Thomson) - Thomson 26:54 (A: Henderson, McPhee)
Shootout: Hull - Švec ✓, Chamberlain ✓, Corneil ✗ | Telford - McKenzie ✗, Capps ✓, Thomson ✗
Goaltenders: Aleksanteri Heiskanen (HUL) | Brad Day (TEL)