RYAN Aldridge has identified Frantisek Bakrlik and Darius Pliskauskas as the men Swindon have to stop if they are to conquer Slough in the teams’ double-header this weekend.
The 6ft 5in Bakrlik has caused Wildcats problems with his physicality in the past, while Pliskauskas is a skilful operator on the puck who regularly punishes loose defence.
Head coach Aldridge plans to match up the towering Tomas Fojtik against Bakrlik in a bid to nullify the Slough man’s effectiveness, while he wants Pliskauskas shut down quickly by the D in general.
“They are the two that cost us when we played them before,” said Aldridge, whose side lost 4-1 to the Jets in October.
“Tomas will have to play against Bakrlik, he is really the only D-man we have who can battle with him.
“We gave Pliskauskas a bit too much room last time. He’s got a very quick release and picks his shots well.”
Cats are missing long-term absentees Lee Richardson and Jamie Hayes, while Matias Perkkio could miss the weekend due to personal reasons. That means it is likely D-man Jan Melichar will return to the line-up to fill the free import slot vacated by Perkkio.
“It will be tough if Matias is out of the line-up because we’ll be short up front again,” added Aldridge.
n AARON Nell is still waiting to find out whether he has made the Great Britain squad for final Winter Olympic qualifiers. The Swindon forward attended a two-day training camp in Manchester earlier this week.
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