SWINDON Wildcats forward Carlo Finucci is pleased to be hitting a rich vein of form at the right time as he could prove a key part in the side’s play-off push.

The Canadian, who said he was having one of his most enjoyable seasons in hockey, scored a hat-trick to sink Milton Keynes Lightning on Wednesday night after shrugging off an injury that hampered him before the winter break.

With both Aaron Nell and Jonas Höög committing themselves to the Wildcats for next season last week, the 29-year-old wouldn’t be drawn on his future, opting to focus on the task in hand instead.

“It was tough going, coming back from injury, and I was a little bit hesitant and not playing my style completely and when I was getting in there I was second guessing and maybe passing when I should have been shooting,” he said.

“I was able to get myself going a few weeks ago and it is a good time for me to get going, especially with play-offs (on the horizon).

“I have kind of put that onus (to contribute with goals) on myself from the beginning and those guys, the Malasinski, Nell and Höög line, have been carrying us throughout the year.

“They are usually scoring and if our line or the third line can chip in with a goal then we are probably winning the game.

“I would love to come back. There haven’t been any discussions right now, I have got to do my part to lift the trophy at the end of the year.”

Cats host Peterborough Phantoms this evening and will still be without Matt Selby, who serves the last game of his suspension, and Callum Buglass, before heading to Basingstoke Bison tomorrow night.

Having seen, what would have been an equalising goal ruled out with just six seconds remaining last Sunday at Planet Ice, revenge is on the cards for Finucci.

“They thought it was over when it went to 5-3 and we battled hard that night with just three defenceman and Janny (Jan Kostal) dropped back and played D for half a game,” he added.

“It was a tough pill to swallow that the puck went in the net with six seconds remaining and we came away with no points. Whatever, happened there happened. We are strong on home ice and hopefully we will be able to take it to them and keep going.”

n Follow Ice Hockey Live from tonight’s match against Peterborough with Matthew Edwards and tomorrow’s trip to Basingstoke with Dan Barnes, both at swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport