NETMINDER Stevie Lyle believes the Wildcats have been a surprise package this season after an impressive start to their league campaign.

The Cats have been on good form on the road beating Manchester Phoenix, Guildford Flames and Telford Tigers away from the Link Centre.

After three games away from the comfort of home, Ryan Aldridge’s men must now switch their attention to the Challenge Cup when they face Wightlink Raiders on Saturday.

Lyle has put the pressure on himself this weekend as he expects the goalies to be the difference when Swindon Wildcats travel to Peterborough for their second game of the weekend on Sunday.

The Cats will be full of confidence heading into the weekend after securing a resounding 4-0 away win to the Telford Tigers on Wednesday night.

Despite Tomasz Malasinski netting a hat-trick at the Telford Ice Rink, goalies Lyle was awarded the man of the match award and believes the win sent a warning out to their league rivals.

“I think the whole team should have been given the man of the match award – everyone played together and we probably surprised a lot of people winning away to Telford,” said Lyle.

“I don’t think Swindon have had a time like this before, winning away to Manchester, Guildford and now Telford and a lot of credit has to go to Ryan (Aldridge, head coach) and his team.

“It is a long season and we are going to win and lose games but everyone was buzzing after Wednesday night.”

The Cats have had mixed fortunes in the Challenge Cup so far this season.

Having beaten Chelmsford Chieftans in their first fixture they succumbed to a 4-2 defeat at home to Guildford Flames, in a game where the points counted for both the league and the cup.

Lyle hopes that his side can go out and score some early goals to take the pressure off the team and allow them to turn their attentions to Sunday night’s league meeting.

“To be honest I don’t know a lot about Wightlink and we have got to be careful coming off the back of a big win and playing a team from a lower league,” he added.

“The key thing is to work hard and I think we should be fine.

“If we are able to get a couple of early goals we can then rest players for Sunday night’s match.

“Away to Peterborough is going to be a hard ask, they are a much better team at their place than they are on the road.

“They have got a good team and they have an import keeper (Janis Auzins) who seems to be doing well.

“They beat Guildford last week so they will be a good team and I think it will come down to the keepers, so no pressure.”