WITH just five games remaining of the regular season remaining, Telford Tigers having already won the league, and Swindon certain of a place in the play-offs you could forgive the Swindon Wildcats for taking the next few weeks lightly.

However with third spot still up for grabs and the team who currently occupy that spot, Basingstoke Bison, heading to the Link Centre this afternoon there is still plenty to play for according to head coach Ryan Aldridge.

Swindon completed a tough 5-3 win over tonight’s opponents on the road last Saturday and Aldridge is expecting another difficult game this evening but thinks the home advantage could be the difference.

“It is getting to that point of the year where it is difficult to keep the boys motivated but we want to play well at home,” he said.

“I think the boys are already thinking about the play-offs now so it is about getting these last few games over and done with and getting into the play-offs.

“For myself I want to keep winning so that we are going into the play-offs as a winning team full of confidence.

“We want to finish as high as we can so if we can get third it is great but if we can’t it is fine, the play-offs are more important than where we finish.

“Of the last five games, four of them have been on the road, so it is good to get home and play a game in front of the fans.

“Especially after our win at their building last weekend we should play even better and hopefully get a good win.

“They always add a lot of pressure all over the ice but I think we have better scoring than they do but they work you for 60 minutes and make you earn the big points.”

Swindon go into the weekend with the only injury worry being the long-term absentee Ollie Betteridge, who is still on the road to recovery from his knee injury.

Aldridge will be travelling to face Sheffield Steeldog’s tomorrow night and will be looking for a win to take the winning momentum into the play-offs.

“We’ve got two road games left and they are both long trips up to the north but again I just hope everyone is fit from Saturday night and we can go there looking to get a good result.

“It is just more preparation for the play-offs.”