Buzzer Report: Swindon Wildcats 7 Guildford Flames 4

Swindon Wildcats took to the ice on Saturday against Guildford Flames, following one of the most whirlwind weeks in the club’s recent history.

Aaron Nell led the side out for his first game as head coach, following the departure of Stevie Lyle. Total Sport’s Ben Callaghan was rink-side to recount all the action.

The Wildcats produced a cracking display in front of their home fans and secured a 7-4 victory for new coach Aaron Nell.

The Swindon Wildcats had one of the toughest week in recent years and then had to take on a high-flying Guildford Flames, after losing player-coach Stevie Lyle the day before the match.

Despite the strong performance, the Flames got the opening goal of the game at 0:28 when Tom Duggan pounced on a loose puck to fire low past new Swindon netminder Jordan Hedley.

The Cats wouldn’t be rattled and soon tied the game up at 4:52. Carlo Finucci continued his scoring streak after being set-up by Jan Kostal and Callum Buglass.

This started a string of many from Swindon. Adam Harding converted a Jan Kostal pass, with a lovely backhanded effort at 7:53.

A minute and ten seconds later it was 3. Tomasz Malasinski this time the scorer after finding room at the back post. Jonas Höög getting his first points after re-signing with the club on Thursday.

Jordan Hedley was producing Lyle-esqe saves in the Swindon net to deny Matic Kralj and Ben Campbell but Swindon got their fourth goal of the night at 11:45.

Finucci broke up the play and charged through alone on goal, the space was found between the lads and the Cats forward tucked the puck into the back of the net, for his second goal on the shorthand.

The lethal touch continued for Swindon when new player-coach Aaron Nell made it five with a well placed shot at 12:40.

The Cats finishing the opening period with a big 5-1 lead. Guildford came into the second and started quickly, they had their second of the night just 1:04 into the period when Matt Towe diverted a shot from the point into the top of the Swindon net.

Finucci restored the Cats lead and completed his first hat-trick in Swindon colours when he decked his way around Stephen Wall and fired into the back of the net.

Callum Buglass getting his second assist of the night. Guildford wouldn’t back down and only a minute later scored their third when Jens Eriksson saw a gap from in the corner and the puck bounced off Hedley and fell into the back of the net.

The game turned a lot scrappier with both netminders making good saves as the clock ticked down on the middle period with the Cats still 6-3 ahead. Guildford came out of the break strong again and were quickly testing Jordan Hedley who was having a strong night between the pipes.

With Matt Selby in the penalty box, the Flames produced a brilliant powerplay move to find Kevin Phillips at the blue-line and he fired a massive slapshot off the post and into the back of the net.

Guildford continued to pile the pressure on but Hedley and his defence stood tall. Swindon got the goal they needed at 53:54. The top line of Nell-Höög-Malasinski combined again, the Polish international with all the time in the world to scramble the puck into the back of the net and restore the 3 goal advantage.

As the clock ticked down Guildford had a goal ruled out after Sam Godfrey had stepped offside when his shot went into the crowd in front of Hedley.

Aaron Nell now takes his troops down to Basingstoke to take on the Bison for the first time this season.