SWINDON Wildcats made hard work of what looked like a straight-forward win as they came out 7-4 winners against Sheffield Steeldogs.

Two goals from Tomasz Malasinski had helped the home-side a comfortable 6-1 lead early in the third period, but after a change in net-minders from both sides Sheffield found themselves back in the game with three quick-fire goals but captain Jan Kostal secured the two points for Swindon.

A fine piece of skill was needed to break the deadlock and it came in the form of Malasinski after ten minutes.

The Pole made his way between two defenders and looked to be losing his footing but in the process of falling to the ice he got his shot away past a hapless Dalibor Sedlar.

Swindon doubled their lead before the period break and it was the Polish forward again who applied the finish.

Glenn Billing did well behind the net before Malasinski picked up the puck and fired home at the near post.

Both sides started the second period with a player in the sin bin after a mêlée after the buzzer and it was not long before Swindon were reduced further.

New signing Tomas Kana had a big hit on Ben Morgan 54 seconds in which left the visitor lifeless on the ice.

As the Sheffield D-man was helped off the ice the Czech forward was given a match penalty and Swindon were instantly on the back foot.

Sheffield pulled a goal back four minutes into the period as Janis Ozolins came from behind the net to find Wood who fired home.

The visitors thought they had pulled the game level seconds later but the puck was deemed to have come off the skate of the Sheffield player on its way into the net and Swindon’s slim margin remained in tack.

After returning to full strength and with the new lines sorted out by Ryan Aldridge Swindon were able to grab the game by the scruff of its neck.

Man of the match Adam Harding was the first to score as Swindon turned defence into attack in fine style.

Lee Richardson sent the puck around the boards and it was picked up by the forward. Harding's initial shot was blocked but on the second attempt he fired home from a central position.

With Stevie Lyle doing well to keep Sheffield out at the other end Swindon further extended their lead after 33 minutes.

It was Richardson with the initial shot from the blue line which could only be parried by Sedlar. With Sam Bullas fighting to get the puck back Taylor was able to nip in and prod the puck into the empty net.

Swindon continued to look dangerous on the counter-attack and as the buzzer sounded for the end of the second period Toms Rutkis was able to apply the finishing touch as the puck slid across the face of Sedlar’s goal.

After surviving a power-play Swindon further extended their lead in the third period. This time Harding turned provider as he latched onto a loose puck and put in on a plate for Kostal to score, resulting in Sedlar being subbed for Bradley Day

With ten minutes of the game to go Swindon also changed their net-minder to allow young Michael Crisp to get a run out but the move soon appeared to back fire as Olozins and Steven Duncombe scored two quick fire goals to send a few nerves around the Link Centre.

Unfortunately Crisp was withdrawn from the game with three minutes remaining after he saw a shot from Tim Smith go under his legs to bring Sheffield back to within two goals.

In an attempt to get another goal back the visitors pulled Day but that plan back fired when Swindon were able to catch Sheffield on the counter-attack and Kostal scored his second to wrap up the scoring.