Wildcats overcome Bees challenge (From Swindon Advertiser)

Wildcats overcome Bees challenge

6:00am Monday 12th December 2011 in Ice Hockey By Ned Payne

SWINDON saw off the stubborn challenge of Bracknell to take maximum points from their only English Premier League fixture of the weekend.

The Bees pushed their hosts all the way at the Link Centre but goals from Czech imports Michal Pinc and Jaroslav Cesky in the final period made the 6-2 win safe.

Wildcats assistant coach Pete Russell was delighted with the victory and praised his players for remaining patient.

“I think it just took time to break them down, but eventually everyone relaxed and kept it simple,” he said.

“We scored some decent goals and it could have been more, and that proves just how far the team have come.

“There’s a good hunger there just now, our lines are doing well and everyone is scoring and bringing something to the team.

“That’s a big thing to have if you are going to go on a little run in the league.”

Cesky put Swindon ahead on Saturday as he blasted home a pass across goal at 8.20.

However, Bracknell were level before the first period was up, with Michael Bowman making the most of a powerplay to deflect a pass beyond netminder Tom Murdy (16.42).

Nicky Watt restored Swindon’s lead at 29.22 and again it was a one-timer that left Carl Ambler helpless in the Bracknell net, following a two-on-one breakout.

The advantage became 3-1 courtesy of British favourite Aaron Nell on the powerplay (33.54), the in-form forward firing a shot from just inside the blueline that squeezed past the screened Ambler.

Bracknell refused to go away and Slovakian Peter Jasik brought his side to within a goal at 36.47, as he tapped home from in front of the net.

However, Wildcats were not content to head into the final period with such a slender advantage, and Jonas Hoog’s swift break up the ice allowed head coach Ryan Aldridge to convert.

The home side made sure they snuffed out any hopes that Bracknell might have had of a comeback at 43.38, with Pinc sending his wrist shot over Ambler’s pad.

Having opened the scoring, Cesky rounded it off as well as he slid the puck into the net at 51.48, making absolutely sure that Wildcats took the maximum two points.

“The league is really, really tight, between us and fourth place there is only three points (before last night’s games),” added Russell.

“So there’s nothing in it and whoever goes on a good run can jump right up, and we hope it’s us.

“Ryan has put a good side together and players are buying into what he’s trying to do and working hard.

“As long as they keep bringing their A game then I’m sure we can do really well.”

This coming weekend Swindon are not in action at the Link Centre, with Aldridge’s side facing trips to MK Lightning (7pm, Saturday) and Telford Tigers (5.30pm, Sunday).