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Oh What a Night! Wildcats Celebrate 30 Years of Ice Hockey in Swindon

This weekend saw some of the biggest names in Ice Hockey come back to Swindon to help celebrate 30 Years of the Swindon Wildcats.

The Team first started back in 1986 with the help of fan favourite Daryl Lipsy and Steve Nell. Steve continues to be General Manager after hanging up his skates and he has been part of the club on and off for the past 30 years. The club have seen a number of different kits and players come and go but the game has still remained a huge part of Swindon’s heritage.

Friday night saw the fans come together for an Evening With The Legends held at The Campanile in Swindon. Fans were able to ask questions and ask to hear stories from their time playing in Swindon.

Steve Nell, General Manager for The Wildcats said ‘It was so good to see the night so well supported and to re-live some of the stories from back in the day. Some of which I would have preferred to forget but a great night was had by all’

The weekend celebrations continued with Saturdays game when Telford came to Swindon and although the Wildcats lost, they did have some great shots on goal. The score was Telford 6, Wildcats 5.

The highlight of the weekend was on Sunday when the Legends challenged the current Wildcats team to a match.

Both teams met back in 2011 and the game ended in a draw. This year, both teams were determined to have an out and out winner.

The game did start quite politely with the current team giving the Legends an easy start. However, when the Legends began scoring, the young Wildcats team didn’t let them get too far ahead and after the 3^rd period, the game was tied at 15 all. Neither team wanted to let it end there and wanted an out and out winner. The teams had a penalty shout-out and after 5 players from each side took back to the ice, the Legends showed their steel and became the over-all winners.

The game was watched by hundreds of loyal fans who came back to Swindon from neighbouring counties to watch the teams play. Cllr Eric Shaw, Conservative MP Justin Tomlinson, Deputy Lieutenant for Wiltshire Mr Richard Handover CBE and his wife Veronica came along to help support the 30 years of the Wildcats.

Swindon Wildcats

The Swindon Wildcats are Swindon's only Ice Hockey team playing in England's National Ice Hockey League (NIHL). Wildcats fixtures are played at the Better Link Centre in Swindon which has been the home of the Wildcats since the clubs inception in 1986.

The Link Centre , Whitehill Way , Swindon , Wiltshire, SN5 7DL

Website Email 01793 886857

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Oh What a Night! Wildcats Celebrate 30 Years of Ice Hockey in Swindon

This weekend saw some of the biggest names in Ice Hockey come back to Swindon to help celebrate 30 Years of the Swindon Wildcats.

Swindon Wildcats

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