A BRACE from Daniel Meyers was enough to send Swindon Wildcats’ play-off hopes up in smoke as they fell to a 3-2 aggregate defeat against Guildford Flames.

Meyers had the Flames in front two minutes into the second period with a power play goal before a third period strike gave the home side a two goal lead on the night, which was enough to book their place in the semi-final.

Swindon headed to Surrey with a narrow goal advantage courtesy of a brace from Tomasz Malasinski in Wiltshire the night before.

The visitors, who were greeted by a release of balloons from the strong Swindon following when they took to the ice, started the brighter of the two sides.

The hosts, in front of a sold out crowd, looked nervous and it was Richard Ullberg who was the busier of the two netminders in the opening 10 minutes.

Guildford had already found their rhythm when Adam Harding found himself out of the game for high sticks on Matt Towe, with the Guildford player spitting blood into his hand to highlight the extent of the infringement handing Harding a five plus game penalty.

A man down, Stevie Lyle’s goal came under heavy siege but Swindon dug deep and kept hold of their advantage going into the second period.

Guildford took two minutes of a penalty strewn second period before they were back level on aggregate and ahead on the night.

Skipper Jan Kostal let his emotions get the better of him and he got a two minute boarding penalty for a retaliation hit on Towe.

With the extra man, Meyers was left open on the back stick and the puck found its way to the Flames player to tap into an empty net.

Guildford remained on top until they saw three players find their way into the sin bin.

Godfrey was the first to be sent from the ice for charging, before Janis Ozolins, high sticks, and Thomas Duggan, slashing, joined him.

However, Swindon were unable to capitalise on the two man advantage before Tomasz Malasinski reduced the deficit with a hooking penalty.

Swindon were then left clinging on at the end when Jonas Höög was pinned for tripping and Neil Liddiard joined the Swede for delay of game with a minute left on the clock.

Having seen out the two penalties at the start of the third period, Swindon looked back in the game but were dealt a blow in the 49th minute when Meyers stepped inside and fired over the shoulder of Lyle.

Guildford began to sit deeper and deeper as the game entered the closing minutes but Ullberg did not look like he was keen on being beaten as he pulled off a fine double save to deny Aaron Nell and Malasinski.

Marcus Kristoffersson found himself in the bin with 2.01 left on the clock for slashing to give Swindon a glimmer of hope, but when Höög was pinned for hooking 25 seconds later it ended Swindon’s play-off desires.

Flames man of the match: Daniel Meyers

Wildcats man of the match: Stevie Lyle