Buzzer report: Swindon Wildcats 4 Hull Pirates 5

In the most cruel of circumstances, Swindon Wildcats were defeated 5-4 in the final minutes of overtime by a rampant Hull Pirates, who made their man advantage pay dividends.

Overtime was required the last time Swindon Wildcats arrived at the Hull Ice Arena, as the two sides battled out a close-fought encounter.

Despite their lowly league place and their apparent struggle for form, the hosts began the side brightly – going toe to toe with advancing Wildcats for every puck.

The early momentum appeared to lie with Swindon, who powered forward in waves, Aaron Nell and Jonas Hoog linking up to test Martins Raitums between the Pirates’ pipes.

At the drop of a hat, Pirates shifted possession and made the first mark upon the tie. Breaking from a Wildcats’ advance, which saw Harvey Stead go close from the blue line, Pirates raced away with the puck to bear down upon Jordan Hedley’s goal.

Finding himself in space, Hull forward Jordan Fisher kept his composure to slot the puck home and give the hosts an early lead.

Looking shaken, Wildcats searched for a way back into the clash. Tomasz Malasinski expertly found Nell, whose shot came agonising close to sneaking past Raitums, but the Hull netminder had fortune on his side.

As the clock ticked over to 14 minutes, Wildcats were dealt a blow as Stevie Whitfield became the recipient of a ten minute penalty for misconduct.

As Whitfield trudged to the sin bin, Pirates pressed once more. It would not be long before their enthusiasm was again rewarded with a goal. Hesitation from Neil Liddiard saw the Cats’ D-man scuff his clearance, allowing Hull to permeate the Swindon back line and surge on goal.

In a fluid movement, Fisher found Jamie Cobley, who in turn slipped in Warren Tait for the assist, and Hull’s second goal of the evening.

As the home fans, only half full in attendance, roared their approval, the first period came to an end. Wildcats left the ice disgruntled, but far from out of the contest.

 As the teams took to the ice for the second, out emerged Stevie Lyle for Wildcats, entering the fray to replace Hedley. An early sign of Nell shaking things up in search of a come-back.

Lyle was forced into action immediately, as a strong drive from Tommi Laine required a solid body block.

Things took a turn for the Wildcats at 29.17, as the hosts received a two minute penalty for too many men on the ice. The careless error allowed Swindon the chance to capitalise – an opportunity they grasped firmly with both hands.

Taking an initial shot which broke his hockey stick clean in two, Nell received a replacement just in time to link up with Hoog, who in turn delivered the assist for Jan Kostal to score Swindon’s first of the evening.

Smelling blood, Wildcats pressed on in numbers. Their knocking at the door was soon to be answered, as a goalmouth scramble proved too much for the Pirates to handle, enabling Nell to sneak in at the back post a stab a loose puck home.

Following deliberation of the officials, the goal was given and Wildcats were back into the tie.

Unwilling to let their heads and spirits drop Pirates held firm, boosted by the cries of an excitable home crowd.

Import Pasi Salonen picked up the puck in the middle of the ice, weaving through the Cats’ ranks and leaving his markers for dead. Finding James Hutchinson just before receiving a big hit, the pair were able to link up to assist Josh Gent, who tapped his shot past a stranded Stevie Lyle at the back post.

The period drew to a close in hectic fashion, Malasinski denied one-on-one before Jonas Hoog headed to the penalty box for hooking. As the third and final 20 minutes beckoned, the tie remained tightly poised.

A frenetic third began with an early penalty for Lee Richardson, after tripping his opponent. Wildcats’ woes were soon increased as Sam Bullas was given a match penalty for high sticks.

Not feeling sorry for themselves, Wildcats pressed on. Adam Harding broke clear of his man and threaded in a waiting Nell. The head coach’s shot was both powerful and accurate, yet somehow caught by an inspired Raitums in the Pirates’ goal.

At the other end, Pirates were more clinical. Salonen bagged the host’s fourth of the evening, just as the Wildcats had returned to full strength.

The home crowd roared, almost tasting the victory which had so often eluded them throughout the campaign. Wildcats however had other things in mind.

Despite being a man down after Nell had left the ice for hooking, Wildcats turned up the heat, pressuring the Pirates onto the back foot. In a split second, Malasinski had found enough space to pick Hoog out at the back post.

The in-form Swede did not rush his shot, but instead caressed the puck before nipping it neatly past Raitums for the equaliser.

With five minutes on the clock, all was truly to play for. Both sides exchanged blows like veteran boxers, but neither could find the killer blow. As the buzzer sound, overtime beckoned.

No sooner had the additional time begun, Wildcats were hit with a penalty as Neil Liddiard was caught for hooking. Now four on three, Cats were bottle-necked in. Pirates came thick and fast, and their labour would soon bear fruit.

Tommi Laine popped up in space, driving his effort across Lyle and into the Wildcats’ goal. A cruel end to a hearty Cats performance, the hosts finally have a win they so dearly craved.