IT was a tough start to a weekend on the road for Swindon Wildcats as they were driven off the ice by the Guildford Flames in a 6-2 defeat.

After a goalless first period it was the visitors who took a surprise lead with Tomas Kana catching the Flames on the break.

The lead lasted all of three minutes as Guildford struck twice in 30 seconds through Jeremy Lundin and Daniel Meyers to turn the game on its head.

Further goals from Andrew McKinney and Roman Tvrdon put the home side in a dominant position at the end of the second period before two power play goals in the final period from Lundin and and David Savage finished the game off as a contest.

Jan Kostal pulled a goal back with seven minutes remaining but it was too little too late as Swindon fell to a hard defeat on the road.

Swindon were without Tomasz Malasinski for a second game on the bounce and were also without D-man Stevie Whitfield.

Ryan Aldridge’s side made a solid start to proceedings with the hosts appearing sloppy in possession during a first period that saw very few stoppages.

Sam Bullas had the best opportunity of the first period to give his side the lead after eight minutes. James Hadfield was unable to handle a shot from Aaron Nell but the forward, with an empty net to aim at, could only fire wide.

Swindon continued to take advantage of a slow start from the hosts but even with Lundin in the sin bin for holding on Kana in the 15th minute they could not find a way to break the deadlock.

Swindon saw out the first period with Alex Symonds in the sin bin for holding and despite the hosts coming out the better side in the second period it was the visitors who struck first.

Wildcats had Stevie Lyle to thank for their lead after he pulled off a fine save to deny Thomas Duggan from point-blank range.

Swindon went straight down the other end and Jonas Hoog played in Kana who hit s fierce shot low past Hadfield.

The goal seemed to spark the Flames into life though and it took less than three minutes before they were back on level terms.

A period of pressure on Lyle’s goal took its toll and when the puck was pulled back to Lundin he was able to fire past Lyle, with the hint of a deflection.

That goal opened the floodgates for the remainder of the second period and it took just 29 seconds before the home side were in front.

David Longstaff was able to play in Meyers who fired home from a central position.

A third goal came for Guildford in the 33rd minute when Vladimir Kutny fired into the side netting. Mckinney was first to the loose puck and took it around the back of the net before beating Lyle at the near post.

Swindon were handed an opportunity to get themselves back into the game when first Meyers, for slashing, and then Marcus Kristoffersson, for hooking, both found themselves in the sin bin.

However with Kristoffersson still in the sin bin McKinney was able to beat Kenton Smith on the half-way line before squaring to Tvrdon who gave Lyle no chance.

Discipline cost Swindon in the final period as they conceded two short-handed goals.

Kana, for tripping, and Symonds, for hooking, both found themselves in the bin at the same time with 45 minutes go and the hosts took full advantage.

Lundin was first to pop up with a goal before Savage was given too much space ont he right and with Lyle scrambling across his goal he was able to fire low into the corner.

Captain Kostal was able to pull a goal back with seven minutes to go after being played in by Hoog but the away side were well beaten by that point.