Buzzer Report: Swindon Wildcats 5 Telford Tigers 3

Telford Tigers stood as the opposition for the Wildcats on Saturday, as Aaron Nell's side looked to record yet another win over the reigning league champions.

Despite struggling against Wildcats so far this campaign, Telford Tigers arrived at the Swindon Ice Arena as one of the league’s form sides.

Perhaps wary of their last trip to SN5, which ended in a 3-0 defeat, Tigers began the tie somewhat conservatively, allowing Wildcats a generous share of the play.

Early advances from Carlo Finucci and Jan Kostal eased the Wildcats into their flow, but it was soon to be short lived, as the visitors settled into a rhythm of their own.

Max Birbraer began promisingly down the Telford right, looking to run the puck wide at every opportunity before searching for a chance to play in a team mate in the centre of the ice.  

Wildcats kept the Tigers at bay, Stevie Whitfield working tirelessly to break up play and feed in the waiting Cats’ forwards to begin a counter.

Taking their eyes of the puck for a single moment, Wildcats were punished. The puck broke to the feet of Telford’s Jonathan Weaver, who did not need a second chance to send a low strike past a helpless Stevie Lyle on the 9.31 mark.

Shell-shocked, Wildcats were soon to be punished again as the Tigers caught the smell of blood. Unable to find stability, the Swindon D-line found themselves at sixes and sevens as Telford powered forward once more.

As space opened up on the ice, Joe Miller was able to manoeuvre an unassisted effort past Lyle for Telford’s second in as many minutes.

After a quick time out, Wildcats looked to have gained some composure, Adam Harding testing Sam Gospel between the Telford pipes.

A moment later, Aaron Nell picked up a two minute penalty for boarding while, at the other end of the ice, Jonas Hoog was sent hurling to the ground as Jason Silverthorn broke through on goal – only to be denied by a waiting Lyle.

The period ended in hectic fashion with both Stevies – Lyle and Whitfield – diving across the ice to prevent a venomous effort from Tiger’s Phil Hill. With the buzzer poised to sound, Marcus Maynard rattled the Wildcats’ crossbar from the blue line, reminding Swindon that the current reigning champions meant business.

The interval seemed to have served both sides well, as the second period began with each composed and methodical in their approach.

It was the visitors who would make their mark first, as Jason Silverthorn breached Lyle’s goal for Tigers’ third of the evening, on 22.57.

Perhaps Silverthorn’s finish was exactly what the Wildcats needed, as they soon switched up the gears and focused on the comeback. Head coach Aaron Nell picked up the puck and surged towards the Telford pipes.

A fine passage of solo finesse play saw Nell able to slot in his line compatriot Jonas Hoog, who finished with aplomb.

Now a goal back into the tie, Wildcats were keen to keep Tigers’ backs pressed to the wall. Nell ploughed forward once more and a quick interchange with Hoog allowed the Swede to repay the favour and provide the assist for Nell to tuck away.

Rattled and searching for breathing space, Telford took another hit as Maynard received a two minute penalty for hooking, following a clash with Jan Kostal.

Eager to capitalise upon the opportunity, Wildcats raised their game and began to hunt down the Tigers for every puck. Their hard labour would soon pay off, as a piece of telepathic play from Tomasz Malasinski and Nell allowed Adam Harding to find space in front of Telford stopper Gospel, and curl the puck home.

Wildcats had made efficient use of the powerplay and the visitors looked desolate as Harding threw a fist-pump into the air to celebrate his effort, much to the appreciation of the home crowd.

As the buzzer sounded, signalling an end to a hectic second period, both teams left the ice locked in a 3-3 deadlock with everything to play for.

It looked as though Wildcats had broken the stalemate first in the third period, as Sam Bullas caught netminder Gospel unaware. The crowd roared, but their joy was short-lived. The puck had scooped up and over, nestling on top of the Telford goal.

At 47.45, Wildcats fans would be able to cheer for real. Link up between Malasinski and Lee Richardson allowed Nell to break through on goal once more. In hot form, Nell drove the puck confidently past Gospel, to give his side the lead for the first time on the night.

As the game entered the final two minutes, Tigers called a time-out to rethink their options. At the same time, Carlo Finucci was ejected for abuse of an official – giving Tigers a momentum at a pivotal time.

Going all out, Tigers hooked their netminder in favour of an additional outfield player - a move which would fail to pay off. Picking up the puck, Malasinski struck from distance, seeing his effort slide into the open Tigers goal.

Wildcats held tight as the remaining seconds ticked away. As the final buzzer sounded, the stands exploded into cheers. Another victory on the board, Tigers would be travelling back to Telford empty handed.