SWINDON Wildcats slipped to a 7-2 defeat at the hands of Bracknell Bees in the NIHL Cup at the Hive last night.

The Wildcats, who have already qualified from Group D as winners, took the lead on 3:55 as Mikey Power scored off a Floyd Taylor assist but the home side levelled through Callum Best.

Second-period goals from Frantisek Bakrlik, Jan Bendik and Martin Pavlíček put the Bees in control before Phil Hill replied late on for Aaron Nell's visitors.

Cats' Stevie Whitfield and Floyd Taylor took penalties at the start of the third period and Bakrlik and Carl Thompson helped to wrap up the win for the home side.

Wildcats will take on London Raiders in the quarter finals over two legs later this month, ths first taking place at the Link Centre on Saturday, January 13 (6.15pm).

The return leg is a day later at Lee Valley Ice Centre.

Cats have also confirmed that the away leg of the Autumn Trophy semi final against Peterborough Panthers will take place on Thursday, January 18, seven days after the opening leg at the Link Centre.