SHANE Moore says that Swindon Wildcats must make the most of home advantage this year if they are to succeed in the EPL.

The new season begins on Saturday with a visit from National League side Chelmsford Chieftains in the English Challenge Cup.

It is against teams travelling long distances like the Essex outfit that the Cats D-man believes should be jumped on.

“We need to make the most of playing on our home rink,” Moore told the Advertiser.

“We need to make the most of teams coming to us after travelling a long distance – we need to hit them hard and fast and make the most of that advantage.”

But the Swindon stalwart knows that Cats must show plenty of respect against Saturday’s visitors if they aren’t to be on the wrong end of an upset.

While Swindon reached the play-off finals weekend last term, Chelmsford ended their campaign at the top of the South Division.

“We have got to show the right attitude on Saturday against Chelmsford,” Moore said. “They may be in the league below, but they will have some talent.

“If we are on our game then we should win.”

Following Saturday’s visit from Chelmsford, Ryan Aldridge’s side head north to Altrincham to face last term’s regular season champions and the team who beat Cats in the play-offs - Manchester Phoenix.

The Link Centre outfit have warmed up for their curtain-raiser with a 6-1 success over Milton Keynes Lightning followed by back-to-back 3-2 defeats to Bracknell Bees.

While Moore has seen plenty from his teammates to suggest that they can have a good season, he knows that there is always room for improvement.

“I don’t think that we are a million miles away from where we need to be,” Moore said. “We have gelled and the dressing room is a good place to be.

“We are still ironing a few things out, and thankfully our losses were in pre-season.

“It’ll be nice if we can get our season off to a good start, in years gone by we start to turn things around after Christmas.”

Keep in touch with how Wildcats get on against Chelmsford and Manchester in the opening weekend of the season with Ice Hockey Live on swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport