SAM Bullas is eager to quash fears over Swindon Wildcats’ home form ahead of their return to the Link Centre this evening.

Cats were thumped 8-2 by Telford Tigers in their last English Premier League fixture in front of their own fans, although that did come at the hands of the team romping clear at the top of the table.

Aaron Nell’s side face a similarly tough test tonight as they entertain a Milton Keynes Lightning outfit sitting second behind Telford.

However, forward Bullas has no reason to believe Cats cannot strike down Lightning on home ice as the Tigers loss was just the sixth time Swindon have been beaten at the Link in 19 fixtures this season.

“We have been good in our rink this year, so it was obviously very disappointing last Saturday,” said 26-year-old Bullas, who is in his eighth season with the Cats.

“Sometimes it takes a game like that to make you pick up your game. Hopefully, everyone turns up this week with the right attitude. We need to regroup and come out and hit Saturday night flying.

“Milton Keynes have proven they are one of the best sides in the league this year, if not the best on their day. They have got such good players, so it will be a hard game.

“It’s going to be battle and we have proven we can compete with them before, so we know we can. It’s about hard work, sticking together and battling for the two points because we need them right now.

“We are moving up the table and a few points behind certain teams, so it’s a good time for us to have a good stretch and push on up the league.”

Last time out, Swindon romped to an 11-3 success on the road at Manchester Phoenix, although they have since withdrawn from the league due to financial difficulties.

Cats coach Nell made full use of the opportunity to blood in some of his young talent against a threadbare Phoenix side and Bullas hopes it will stand them in good stead for the future.

“Saturday night against Milton Keynes will be the total opposite to last Sunday. We will have to go a lot harder and a lot more intense,” said Bullas.

“You can’t read too much into that game as it was played in difficult circumstances but from our point of view, it was good to get some goals on the board and a lot of the younger guys got some good ice-time.

“You can train as much as you want but if you are not playing, then you can get a bit stale. It was good for those lads to get loads of ice-time and the chance to play with better players, because a few of them got shifts with imports and they will benefit from that.”

Following the sad demise of the Phoenix earlier this week, the EPIHL have been actively looking to reduce strain on the remaining fixtures across the league.

Because of this, there have been some changes to the fixtures for the remainder of season, some of which involve the Wildcats.

However, the impact will be minimal in Swindon, with a change of opponents rather than a change of playing dates.

Swindon’s scheduled home game against Bracknell Bees on Wednesday, February 15 will now take place on Sunday, February 12 (face-off 5.45pm).

Peterborough Phantoms’ visit to the Link Centre on Saturday, March 18 will now take place on February 15 (7.45pm) and the home fixture against Basingstoke Bison has been switched from February 12 to March 18.

All home tickets will be valid for the changed games.