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The Wildcats Column: Malasinski, Liddiard & Lyle Leading The Way
As we now enter the business end of the EPL hockey season, Swindon Wildcats look to their most senior members to lead by example on the ice in order to push for a play-off position. Taking three outstanding performers of the season so far as examples, Ben Callaghan discusses further...
The Wildcats have been struggling for the consistency required to be challenging for the top four since Christmas, but since the festive break there have been a few stand-out names who’ve really stepped up their performances and helped carry the team through their tough spell.
Aaron Nell has talked about the big names showing leadership for the rest of the team to follow and the trio of Tomasz Malasinski, Stevie Lyle and Neil Liddiard have really stood out so far in 2016.
In his third season with the Wildcats Stevie Lyle is rolling back the years with strings of spectacular netminding displays. Stevie has always been a rock at the back for the Cats and he’s been called upon significantly over the last few weeks. He’s not let us down and he’s still pulled off highlight reel saves on a nightly basis.
Tomasz Malasinski is becoming the sort of player you run out of ways to describe. His skill is outstanding, his all round play is phenomenal and his shooting ability is second to none. Tomasz has undoubtedly been the star of the forward unit this season and is continuing his dominance in the team as well as the league.
Through 35 games already this season he’s eclipsed his overall point tally for last season (57 to last year’s 54) and with just shy of 20 games remaining you’d be a fool to bet against him hitting nearly 70-80 points come the end of March. He’s been that successful that only Milan Kostourek has outscored him in the entire league this season. Tomasz is a man in form and probably the key guy for this year’s run to Coventry.
Finally, Neil Liddiard is someone who deserves so much more credit than he’s getting at the moment. Neil has been a rock solid defencemen since his summer move from Guildford. Ever the guy you trust on the back-line and someone who’d literally put his body on the line for his team.
His string of impressive performances have sort of fallen under the radar with the inconsistency of Swindon taking the headlines. 'Lidds' has really been Mr. Reliable and has shown everyone he’s still a really valuable EPL D-man if he’s given his chance. The one thing he now wants is a goal, having never scored for the Wildcats before. It’s something I’m sure he wants to achieve as soon as possible. He came ridiculously close when a massive slapshot hit the post on Saturday, perhaps this weekend is his weekend.
For Swindon to get the win streak they crave they need everyone to buy into the game plan which these three key figures play. If the entire team pull together and play week-in-week out at their best then this team has the chance to do something special in the second half of the season. It’s the challenge for the coach, the players and even the fans. To pull together and create something special.
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