WILDCATS’ player coach Aaron Nell believes his side were lucky to get a win over the Hull Pirates tonight.

Nell, who started the scoring, saw his team surrender the lead twice before eventually winning the game 6-4.

Nell and Sam Bullas got the opening two for the hosts in the first period, then Hull hit back with a double of their own to make it 2-2 going into the second period.

The third period was more pleasing for Nell as Thomasz Malasinski edged the Wildcats ahead as the second period finished 3-2.

Nell himself then grabbed a hat-trick within three minutes, to take it to 6-3, before Hull added a late consolation.

Despite the win, the player-coach thinks his side were slightly fortunate to get the win against a weakened Pirates.

“It’s always good to get a win, I don’t think we were at our best tonight, we got a bit of a get out of jail free card," said Nell.

“Stevie (Lyle) shouldn’t have had to play that well, he was fantastic tonight and we got a bit of luck but you’ll always take it because at the end of the year we won’t worry about it.

“We did a lot of work this week on Hull, they’re doing well, but then they played their back up goalie which I found bizarre.

“When we went 2-0 I think we thought it would be an easy match, but it is never an easy night, they (Hull) had zero pressure tonight.”

"All the pressure was on us, they just worked hard and that’s why they’ve been successful so far this season.

"We were just getting out-worked, that can never happen at home, but in the end we pulled through it would have been embarrassing if we didn’t."

The game also saw Jonas Hoog claim his 500th EPL point, as he had a hand in all put one of the goals for the hosts.

“Hoog is fantastic for the last two years he looks after his body a lot better than he used to and he’s a lot more effective on the ice,” added Nell

“The league has got better but he keeps up with the league, he’s a massive part of our team and we are very happy he’s here.”