A HAT-TRICK from Aaron Nell was enough to strike down MK Lightning as Swindon Wildcats completed a 5-1 win over their opponents.

Wildcats have not lost a game when they have led going into the third period and that continued last night.

It was a lethargic start to proceedings for the Wildcats as goals from Nell and Lewis Hook cancelled each other out in the first period.

A stunning strike from Floyd Taylor put Swindon back in front during the second period, before Nell doubled his tally for the night on 50 minutes.

Nell’s third and a strike from Tomas Kana completed the score-line which looked more straight-forward than it actually was.

Swindon failed to get going in a first period that took a late hit in the 15th minute to kick the game into life.

Eighteen-year-old Callum Buglass was on the end of the boarding penalty from Chris Wiggins, which was well after the puck had gone.

With the forward in the penalty box Wildcats took the advantage. Jan Kostal hit a powerful shot from the left which Jordan Hedley could only parry. With the puck sitting agonisingly on the line, Nell was the first on hand to tap the puck home.

Lightning returned to full strength for a matter of seconds, before John Connolly found himself in the box for tripping.

With the man advantage again Ryan Aldridge went for a second goal with an attacking line of Kostal, Jonas Hoog, Adam Harding, Kana and Nell.

However that tactic backfired when Hoog was caught in possession on the halfway line and, with nobody back in defence, Hook was able to skate through and beat Stevie Lyle one-on-one.

It took a moment of brilliance in a much improved second period to separate the two sides.

Swindon came out of the break a lot brighter and Floyd Taylor, who had an impressive evening, took just two minutes to restore the hosts lead.

He was found by Loris Taylor on the right and with nobody in support he tried his luck and left Hedley no chance as he found the top left corner expertly.

With both Stevie Whitfield and Floyd Taylor finding their way into the sin-bin Swindon were left holding on towards the end of the period.

They were put under a lot of pressure but managed to go into the final 20 with a narrow goal lead.

Swindon extended their lead midway through the second period when Nell got his second of the game.

Having survived a power-play, with Kana in the bin for roughing, Hoog went straight on the attack and set up Nell to fire home with the help of the cross-bar.

Swindon threw their bodies on the line to protect their lead after a late penalty on Kana for tripping.

Just like the third goal, Swindon returned to full strength and seconds later Hoog was setting up Nell to complete his hat-trick.

The game was put to bed with 30 seconds to go when Harding played in Kana, to fire home and give Swindon their sixth win in their seven meetings with MK Lightning.