SWINDON Wildcats will begin their English Premier League play-off programme at Milton Keynes Lightning on Wednesday following the conclusion of the regular season.

The Cats brought the curtain down on their campaign with back-to-back defeats against Basingstoke Bison to finish sixth in the table.

That has pitted them in Pool B of the end-of-season shoot-out against second seeds Milton Keynes, third-ranked Basingstoke and Hull Pirates, who finished in seventh place.

Swindon start their quest for qualification to finals weekend at Coventry next month by making a trip to Planet Ice in Milton Keynes on Wednesday before tackling their first home fixture on Saturday (March 25) against Hull.

The following day, the Cats go on the road again to Basingstoke before they host Milton Keynes in a midweek match at the Link Centre on Wednesday, March 29.

On Saturday, April 1, Swindon make the long trip north to Hull before wrapping up their post-season qualifiers 24 hours later with a home match against Basingstoke.

As well as plotting his side’s assault on the play-offs, Wildcats player-coach Aaron Nell is also celebrating a new addition at home after his wife Sarah gave birth to a baby daughter on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, the Cats have announced details of their ‘March Madness’ season ticket offer for the 2017/18 campaign, with prices frozen on tickets purchased before the end of the month.

Tickets cover all 28 regular season fixtures that will be played at the Link Centre as Swindon compete in the new-look Premier Ice Hockey League next term.

Seated adult season tickets cost £303 and £280 for standing, while tickets for children under the age of 15 cost £140 for seated and £116 for standing.

Concessions, which include the over 60s and students with NUS cards, can purchase seated season tickets for £242 and standing for £210.

Three different family ticket packages are also on offer, ranging in price from £606 to £880.

A statement on the Wildcats’ website said: “With our entry into the new Premier Ice Hockey League, next season promises to be as exciting as ever and we want you to secure your seats for the start of a new era in British ice hockey.

“With crowds over 1,200 every week and the balcony selling out, season tickets are becoming increasingly important.

“The season ticket will cover 28 home games and is available to purchase now and throughout the whole of March.

“These prices are based on 28 home matches, covering challenge games, league fixtures and the play-offs. Any additional games above these 28 included, will be charged on a pro rata basis.

"If for any reason there are less than the 28 games, they will be refunded on a pro rata basis."

For information and application forms, visit swindonwildcats.co.uk.