A 7-2 defeat to Milton Keynes on Saturday was followed by an 8-5 loss at home to the Phoenix on Sunday, albeit with their chief rivals for the final play-off spot – Bracknell and Peterborough – also losing.
Those results mean Telford retain a theoretical chance of grabbing a slice of post-season action, with the other two bottom sides still to play the Tigers six times before the end of the campaign.
And the sudden availability of former Milton Keynes youngster Castle was too good a chance for player-coach Tom Watkins to miss as he looks to bolster his attacking options.
He said: “Tom is coming in because we need to bulk up to nine regular forwards. He skates well and is very quick. He is pretty strong and in great shape.
“I want him to come in and do a basic job – keep it simple and grind it out. I’m not expecting really high numbers and I don’t want to put too much pressure on him.
“He has been playing against young lads and it is a bit different playing against men week in and week out, but I think he will be a good acquisition.”
The 21-year-old has spent a number of years at university in the United States and scored two goals in 24 games while playing for the Portland Pirates in the Atlantic Junior Hockey League last season.
He arrives in Telford after starting the 2001/12 campaign with Hartford Junior Wolfpacks and is looking forward to playing in the EPL next weekend.
Castle said: “Junior A is a lot more physical, but I think in terms of experience in this league you get a lot of guys who have played pro a lot, so we can learn from them. In the juniors, the players are a lot younger.
“I have met the lads and they seem like a really nice bunch. They are all ready from the same page, and want to win and develop themselves. I am all for that.”
Last weekend’s defeats saw Telford establish an early lead in both games, before late charges gave their opponents relatively comfortable wins.
Henrik Sahlin and Marek Hornak were the scorers against Milton Keynes, while Scott McKenzie (2), Sahlin, Josh Bruce and Luke Brittle were on target during Sunday’s encounter.
Watkins remained impressed by his side’s goal scoring efforts in both games – especially on Sunday, when they put late pressure on the Phoenix.
He said: “I am really proud of our forwards. We scored five against Manchester and put them on the back foot in the third period. We forced them to call a timeout and I am pleased with their attitude.
“We were down on numbers against Milton Keynes and I played up front.
We left ourselves a bit exposed and have to tighten up defensively if we are to give ourselves a chance to win.”
Telford has another tough set of fixtures next weekend, with a trip to Slough Jets on Saturday before the visit of Basingstoke Bison on Sunday.
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