FINAL period goals from Thomasz Malasinski and Jan Kostal ensured that Swindon Wildcats were able to avenge last Sunday’s defeat to Manchester Phoenix with a 5-3 win at the Link Centre.

Aaron Nell gave the hosts a fourth minute lead after a blistering start before Stanislav Gron had the visitors back level in the second period.

Further goals from Matt Selby and Jonas Höög gave the home side a two goal advantage before Robin Kovar pulled one back before the end of the second period.

Michal Satek levelled for Phoenix in the third period, only for Malasinski to restore Swindon’s lead two minutes later and Jan Kostal to secure the win two minutes from time.

After a less than impressive performance at Deeside last Sunday, Swindon responded well and were quick out of the blocks at the Link Centre.

They were almost rewarded early on when Thomasz Malasinski, through on goal, was tripped but Stephen Fone stayed big for the penalty shot and was able to deny the Pole.

It took less than a minute, though, before the Phoenix defences were finally breached when Nell saw a deflected shot wrong foot Fone and the puck trickled over the line.

Swindon were able to see out the first period with Stevie Lyle coming under little pressure, however, Manchester hauled themselves back level in the 32nd minute.

Kovar broke for the visitors down the right and he pulled the puck into the middle where Gron was able to stretch furthest to turn it past Lyle.

Parity was restored for just 93 seconds as an unlikely source put Swindon back in front as Höög dropped the puck to Selby to find the top corner.

Höög then doubled the hosts’ lead as he took the responsibility on himself in the 37th minute and when he shot was saved by Fone he had the quick thinking to follow it up and fire it in from behind the goal off the back of the Manchester stopper.

Swindon weren’t able to carry that advantage into the third period, however, as Kovar pounced on a loose puck in the centre of the ice and drove towards the net before firing past Lyle with just under two minutes remaining.

Manchester were able to pull themselves level for a second time in the 54th minute when Satek saw his initial shot saved by Lyle, but the puck dropped at the netminders knees and the Mnachester forward was able to pick it out before firing home.

Swindon restored their lead in the 56th minute when Höög saw his shot tipped in by Malasinski, before Kostal ensured the two points were staying with Swindon as he scooped the puck home in the 58th minute.

Wildcats man of the match: Thomasz Malasinski Phoenix man of the match: Stephen Fone