Swindon Wildcats ease to victory over Bracknell Bees

SWINDON WILDCATS extended their lead at the top of the NIHL League One table with a hard-fought home win over the Bracknell Bees at the Better Link Centre last night. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his match report from the ice.

A sloppy first period saw either side struggle to stamp their authority on the match, with Swindon lackadaisical in attack and Bracknell unable to find a way past Wildcats goaltender Renny Marr. 

An early opportunity for the visitors saw Scott Spearing go close to opening the scoring halfway through the first period after combining well with Paynter but the attacker failed to test Marr in between the sticks.

Seeking to apply pressure early on, the Wildcats increased the pressure as Stevie Whitfield and Sam Bullas both went close with long-range shots that required good reaction saves from Bracknell’s Skinns. 

A physical game from the outset saw both sets of players aggressively contest for the puck and it was long before Swindon earned their first powerplay of the match. With a man advantage, the Wildcats eventually opened the scoring as Chris Jones rifled home a long-range effort in the 18th minute that saw the home side end the first period a goal in front. 

Play resumed following the second period and Bracknell began on a 5 v 3 powerplay, however, couldn’t make the best of the opportunity as Swindon’s Bullas asserted his dominance on the game. 

Skipping through Bracknell’s defensive zone, Bullas powered off a shot straight at Skinns in the periods 5th minute before Chris Jones bagged his second goal just ten minutes later. 

Bringing the puck over the halfway line, Captain Aaron Nell played a cross-ice pass to Hogg who’s shot was goalbound as Jones tapped in from close range. Two goals up all but secured victory for the Wildcats as Bracknell rarely threatened for the remainder of the match. 

Edgars Bebris flicked in from close range to score Swindon’s third goal of the game with just five minutes left of the match as the Wildcats emerged victorious against a faltering Bracknell Bees.