SWINDON Wildcats were able to make it three wins in a row as they swept aside Manchester Phoenix 3-2 at the Link Centre.

Two goals in the first period from Jonas Hoog got them well on their way, before he added his third in the second period.

Robin Kovar netted both of the goals for the visitors, his first made it 2-1 before his second made it 3-2 as Manchester struggled to assert themselves on the game.

The Wildcats got off to a perfect start when Hoog broke the deadlock on 6:00, when he managed to beat his man, before poking the puck past an imposing Stephen Fone.

Six minutes later, he doubled his goal tally and the lead for the Wildcats when he was found by Max Birbraer to slot home his second.

The first period was comfortable for Aaron Nell’s side, as they went into the first interval with a healthy two goal cushion.

The second period was a scrappy affair but it was the visitors who edged the early exchanges and they got their reward when Matt Selby’s turnover resulted in a goal for Kovar with half an hour on the clock.

Swindon needed a third from the period to make the final session a little more comfortable and that is what they got when Hoog finished off his hat-trick with just over three minutes remaining, as the Wildcats led 3-1.

The final period was less than ideal as Kovar doubled up to reduce the deficit back to a single goal in the 44th minute.

Swindon continued to probe for the fourth, which would settle the players down and more than likely seal the win for the Cats.

With 11 minutes to go, the home side were unlucky twice as Birbraer hit the post, before Selby then struck the puck against the bar.

Despite their best efforts, neither side were able to add to the score line as the game finished 3-2 to the Wildcats.