D-MAN Stevie Whitfield was pivotal in Swindon Wildcats’ strong start at Planet Ice on Sunday to set up a hard-fought victory over Peterborough Phantoms.

After keeping the home-side quiet in the opening exchanges it was Whitfield who opened the scoring on eight minutes, with only his second goal for the Cats in the past four seasons.

Despite falling two goals behind in the second period the visitors showed great resolve and found a way back into the tie with strikes from Alex Symonds and Aaron Nell.

Despite Whitfield missing ten minutes of the final period for personal misconduct, the Cats completed the come-back when captain Jan Kostal secured the win with three minutes to go.

“It was a big result really, and I think we grinded out the result with few bodies,” said Whitfield, who was keen to get a quick start after the Cats had found themselves four goals down in the first period the last time they travelled to Cambridgeshire in October.

“I made it a little bit tougher taking the ten minutes towards the end, which was a bit stupid but the boys really pulled together and it was a great effort.

“It was nice to get the goal. It is not something I do very often so I was just really happy.

“I think we all started strong because last time we came here we were two down before we had even got going but we came out a lot quicker and made some good plays.

“We got a bit fortunate that the puck bounced loose and I just managed to put it away, but it was important we got that quick start.”

With first team regulars Ollie Betteridge, Callum Buglass and Floyd Taylor all away on international duty with the GB U20 side in Estonia, there will be some tired legs in the camp due to a lot of ice time.

The three played against Lithuania yesterday, along with Glenn Billing, Michael Stratford, Jons Rutkis, and they helped the team to a 5-4 come-back victory to make it two wins from two.

The Cats do not have long to recover though as they face MK Lightning tomorrow night but Whitfield is confident the team can build on their four-point weekend.

“It is another tough one with not too many players and I think they are missing two big players for them as well,” he added.

“Obviously there is a good feeling in the room at the moment.

“I am sure we’ll come out strong again and look to get the result.

“We obviously had that tough weekend a couple of weeks ago but we’re coming together and we’re starting to role again.”