AARON Nell sung the praises of Swindon Wildcats backup netminder Tyler Perre following Saturday night’s 8-0 victory against NIHL strugglers Invicta Dynamos.

Winless so far this season and facing an uncertain future financially, Invicta’s woes stretched further as hat-tricks for Edgars Bebris and Toms Rutkis plus markers by Maxime Birbraer and player-coach Nell secured Wildcats’ eighth league victory of the season.

However it was Tyler Perre who impressed Nell the most after the young goalie made a series of impressive saves in the third period when the hosts momentarily switched off in a five-minute spell.

And having a backup stopper to rely on is something Nell is pleased to have in his ranks.

He said: “We were happy to win against Invicta.

“Both teams worked hard, Tyler (Perre) has done really well. Renny Marr’s suspension at the start of the year was probably the best thing that could’ve happened to him.

“He took the opportunity with two hands, he’s been great for us and I’m happy for him to get that shutout.

“He’s a good prospect for the future.

“I know he’s been a good netminder through his junior years – he’s surprised me to be honest, and he’s a great young lad that hopefully has a career ahead of him.”

The game almost boiled over at the end of the first period when pushing and shoving almost led to Wildcats being caught in a brawl after the buzzer was sounded.

Tyler Plews resisted the urge to drop the gloves though, a move which pleased Nell who is keen for his men not to attract needless penalties ahead of the club’s crunch Autumn Cup semi-final second leg tie this Friday at home against Peterborough Phantoms.

Nell said: “It’s important not to get caught in niggles like that.

“The players did all they could, it was a difficult game to play in.

“Peterborough was the toughest and best game we’ve played all year – a third night is always tough.

“In the circumstances, Friday was a good result for us.

“The Autumn Cup on Friday will be a great night – our game against Peterborough in the first leg was probably the best to watch from a fans perspective, and I’m sure this coming Friday will be the same.

“Everyone will be up for the second leg. The contest is as level as it could be, it will be a great game to watch regardless of the result.”