Wildcats Weekend - Five Things We Learned

Over a contrasting weekend, which saw Swindon Wildcats initiate a comeback victory over reigning champions Telford Tigers - before then losing a overtime thriller to Hull Pirates, Total Sport's Danny Gallagher compiles five things we learned...

1. They can be down, but not necessarily out

Telford Tigers brought their A-game to the Swindon Ice Arena on Saturday, and wasted no time in etching their mark upon the score board. Perhaps eager to put previous poor performances against the Cats behind them, Telford hit the back of the net three times, to open up clear water between themselves and Aaron Nell's side.

Many teams in a similar position to Swindon would be tempted to sit back, plug the gaps and prevent further damage. Wildcats however clearly didn't get the memo, and pressed forward to much avail. One by one the goals began coming with the home side proving they were down, but most certainly not out. 

2. Nell and Hoog are rekindling their telepathic relationship on the ice

During Saturday's successful hunting of the Telford Tigers, forwards Aaron Nell and Jonas Hoog worked in unison, much to the appreciation of a packed Ice Arena. The pair were pivotal in the comeback efforts of the Wildcats. Nell assisted Hoog for Swindon's first of the evening, before the in-form Swede duly returned the complement and sent Nell through to smash in the second. 

The understanding of the two players is to be pivotal going into this weekend's fixtures, as Wildcats face two back-to-back away trips to Milton Keynes and Peterborough respectively.

3. The Swindon home crowd really are the league's finest

As the equalising goal rippled the back of the Telford net on Saturday, the reverberating roar around the Swindon Ice Arena was deafening. 

The home contingency turned out in their droves, with hardly a seat going spare in the venue. Wildcats were great value for money, putting on a spectacle of outstanding hockey which likewise hyped up the atmosphere tenfold. 

Nell's side will be hoping to whip the crowd into a similar frenzy most weekends, especially if they are to make their home dwelling into a fortress. 

4. Keeping cool on the ice is essential

With victory over Telford Tigers just moments away, Cats' star import Carlo Finucci became involved in a heated exchange with an official.

Disagreeing with the call, Finucci received a penalty for verbal abuse - a charge which would soon become increased to a match suspension as the Canadian lost his cool.

Departing from the main stage, the red mist descended upon Finucci, as he hurled his stick across the ice in an act of defiance. The forward's suspension meant he was unavailable for selection for Sunday's trip to Hull - a game the Wildcats would go on to narrowly lose.

5. A poor defensive start can underpin a whole game

After the highs of Saturday's win, Sunday brought quite the contrast. Wildcats began the tie on Humberside in the wrong gear and offered a very "flat" showing, as head coach Aaron Nell later referred to it in his post match comments.

Defensively, Wildcats were under the cosh straight away and had conceded twice before they could even catch their breath. 

To steady the ship, Nell was forced into the unconventional move of replacing his netminder in the second period, bringing on the experienced Stevie Lyle in place of Jordan Hedley. But, the damage had already been done and Wildcats found themselves playing catch up. 

Though they managed to find the all important equaliser, an exhausted Cats side fell at the final hurdle in cruel overtime circumstances, ruing their fragile defensive start.