On the road again (From Swindon Advertiser)

SWINDON WILDCATS: On the road again

6:00am Friday 16th December 2011 in Ice Hockey By Andy Warren

CAPTAIN Joe Baird is hoping for a successful weekend on the road as Swindon Wildcats prepare to travel to Milton Keynes Lightning and Telford Tigers in the English Premier League.

Wildcats do not have a game at the Link Centre until December 27 when they begin a run of five home matches in quick succession, but travel to Planet Ice tomorrow night to face the Lightning (face-off 7pm), before visiting the Telford Ice Rink the following night (face-off 5.30pm).

Baird told the Advertiser the Wildcats players would rather play every game at home, but said they would not be fazed by two back-to-back road trips.

“We love playing in front of our own fans at the Link Centre, but we will not do anything different just because we are away for both games this weekend,” he said.

“They will be two very different games against two very different teams. Milton Keynes have been together for a long time and know their game inside out. Telford have lost a few players and have been struggling.

“The trips are not too far, though, so it should not cause us any problems.”

Telford are adrift at the bottom of the Premier League table, but the defenceman is certain his players will not take the game lightly.

“We would like to think we are capable of beating any of the teams in this league, but we can’t go to Telford expecting a win,” he said.

“If you go places with that attitude then you can get in trouble, but if we go there and play our own game we can come away with something.”

Baird missed eight weeks of the season with an ankle injury before making his return against Slough on November 5, but injury struck again and he didn’t play again until November 19 against Guildford.

Baird is keen to make up for lost time, and is pleased to have put together a run of games since his return to the side.

“I went down in the opening game of the season, and that was very frustrating,” he said.

“I could not do any fitness work or anything like that, the team were playing well and it was a shame not to be involved.

“I am glad to be back though, even if I do still suffer some pain after games, but I do not think it will be 100 per cent right until next season.”