ICE HOCKEY LIVE: MK Lightning v Swindon Wildcats (From Swindon Advertiser)

9:22pm

That's it for tonight. Join me tomorrow from 5.30pm for coverage of Swindon's home clash with Basingstoke.

9:19pm

Total shots on goal were 36-33 in MK's favour. Just shows that stats don't always tell the story.

9:17pm

It goes without saying that that was Wildcats' heaviest defeat of the season. They will need show some mental toughness to recover from such an emphatic loss. Basingstoke at the Link Centre tomorrow represents a chance to put things right.

9:15pm

Jokila was MK's man of the match.

9:14pm

Amazingly, Swindon outshot their hosts 13-10 in that last period.

9:12pm

For what it's worth, Bullas was Swindon's man of the match.

9:10pm

That is it. The punishment is over.

9:07pm

Dear oh dear...

9:06pm

Emersic took just nine minutes and two seconds to compile his hat-trick. Swift work.

9:02pm

No joy there, I'm afraid.

8:58pm

Cats on the powerplay.

8:54pm

It's really about stemming the tide now more than anything. Cats have to get a grip, and quickly.

8:47pm

MK had 26 shots on goal in the first two periods while Swindon had 20.

8:39pm

Period three has started.

8:34pm

The start of period three is imminent.

8:25pm

Being one goal down in period three would not be daunting, but those two Swindon conceded before the end of the second period have rendered the task infinitely more difficult. Wildcats must find three goals from somewhere in the final 20 minutes or face defeat.

8:22pm

That is the end of the second period. Time to collect thoughts and regroup.

8:21pm

Suddenly my prediction that this definitely won't end 5-4 doesn't look nearly as secure.

8:17pm

There are certainly plenty more goals in this game.

7:59pm

Stevie Whitfield called for hooking.

7:53pm

Period two is underway.

7:47pm

The players will be back out shortly.

7:36pm

That's the end of the first period.

7:33pm

Matias Perkkio has been called for hooking and Cats will be a man down for the last two minutes of this period.

7:33pm

Sheffield's play-off hopes could be over come the end of tonight, they are losing 2-1 at Telford while Bracknell are now 3-2 up against Slough.

7:27pm

The plan for Slough to suffer defeat is not going well. The Jets have levelled against Bracknell and it's 2-2.

7:21pm

I would bet my monthly salary on the fact it will not be a 5-4 win for Swindon at the Thunderdome, as per last time back in January.

7:09pm

7:09pm

And we are underway.

7:08pm

Stephen Wall is in net for MK while Murdy is between the pipes for Swindon.

7:05pm

Face-off imminent.

7:03pm

Officials are Solovjovs (referee), Earl and Carrington.

7:01pm

In MK team news, they have a full roster plus youngster Connor Goode.

6:56pm

6:53pm

Slough are currently losing 2-1 to Bracknell, which would do Swindon's hopes of a top-half finish the power of good if it stays like that.

6:50pm

Face-off is due at 7pm here.

6:48pm

You can tweet throughout thje game using #swindonwildcats or just write your comments below. The best opinions/rants will be reprinted in the main part of this liveblog.

6:47pm

Theoretically, Wildcats should have plenty in the tank tonight with three forwards back in the line-up. They have been struggling in the third period of late and it took all their energy reserves to win against Slough last Sunday. That and netminder Tom Murdy.

6:43pm

A rare position of luxury for head coach Ryan Aldridge with so many forwards at his disposal.

6:43pm

Missing for Cats tonight are usual suspects Jamie Hayes and Lee Richardson alongside D-man Shane Moore. Both Loris and Floyd Taylor are back as expected as is Henri Sandvik. With five imports available, defenceman Jan Melichar is the man missing out.

6:39pm

Dropping the puck tonight will be local lad James Nash, who is a fairly useful driver in the world of Touring Cars.

6:35pm

Good evening. Swindon are away at Milton Keynes tonight. If you turned up at the Link Centre expecting a game, hard luck.