Aldridge bids to bring Flames under control (From Swindon Advertiser)

SWINDON WILDCATS: Aldridge bids to bring Flames under control

6:00am Friday 6th January 2012 in Ice Hockey By Andy Warren

SWINDON Wildcats will be looking to ensure Guildford Flames’ recent run of poor results continues when the two sides meet at the Link Centre tomorrow night (face-off 5.45pm).

Following a run of 13 straight wins in the league, the table-toppers have slumped to two straight defeats after going down 5-2 to Basingstoke and 6-2 to Milton Keynes on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day respectively.

By contrast, Wildcats enjoyed a slightly more fruitful festive period as they beat Slough and took a point from their clash with Milton Keynes after pushing them all the way to a shootout.

Head coach Ryan Aldridge is looking for his side to capitalise on the leaders’ poor form, but warned they will still be in for a tough game.

“They are top of the league, and they are there for a reason, because they are a top quality side,” said Aldridge.

“I don’t know what has gone on with them because they had been on such good form, but have lost their last two quite convincingly.

“It depends how they turn up really, because it can go one of two ways.

“They can either continue to struggle or come here after a telling off and be keen to show what they can do.

“They have great offence and a good netminder, so we will need to be on our game and put in a good team defence shift.”