SWINDON Wildcats general manager Steve Nell hopes the pain of the team’s disappointment in the NIHL play-offs can inspire them to finish the season with a second piece of silverware to their name.

The Cats saw their play-off campaign come to an end in controversial fashion on Sunday after they were penalised for icing an ineligible player.

Having initially won the first leg of their South One semi-final 4-2 against Peterborough Phantoms, that result was changed to a 5-0 defeat after league officials noticed the roster error.

Although the Cats gallantly tried to overturn the deficit in the second leg at Peterborough and actually won that game 6-4, it was not enough to see them through to the final.

Nell was full of praise for how the team played in adversity in that second leg and hopes they can lead to a further improvement of their trophy cabinet in 2018.

The Cats lifted the Autumn Cup earlier this month and still have the NIHL Cup final to play in April, with home and away legs against Sheffield Steeldogs.

“That is the hope. From the way the players reacted on Sunday night, I am sure everyone will be up for the NIHL Cup final,” said Nell.

“It is not about what happens to you, it’s how you react to the things that happen. We will have to learn from it and come back positive and stronger. I am sure they will.

“The performance at Peterborough was outstanding. I spoke to the players before and after the game and you can’t hide from how they did, it was absolutely outstanding.

“That is what the team has been, we have got better as the year has gone on and the players have put their bodies on the line and given everything for the club and you can’t ask for any more than that.”

Supporters can benefit from free travel to the away leg of the final at Sheffield on Wednsday, April 11 after club sponsor Cardwave Services offered to provide a fans' coach for the match.

Cardwave chief executive and chairman of the Wildcats Supporters Club Paul Norbury said: “It’s been a tough week for everyone associated with the club and I wanted to do something to lift the spirits.

“There will be two coaches going to Sheffield, the first will be reserved exclusively for the team, but a 94 seater luxury double-decker has been allocated for the fans.”

Seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and anyone wanting to travel should contact supporters.club@swindonwildcats.com.