THESE are the games that, as a hockey player, you should relish and look forward to.

That’s the message that will be relayed by Aaron Nell to his players prior to tomorrow’s crunch NIHL One South tie against table-topping Peterborough Phantoms, a match which is likely to have a big say in the outcome of the championship.

A run of six league wins on the spin since the end of December have re-ignited the Wildcats’ push to claim top spot following a woeful December which saw Nell’s troops lose six of their 10 fixtures.

But a win against the high-flying Phantoms at the Link Centre tomorrow (6.15pm) would see the Wildcats move to the top of the table, albeit Peterborough will still have their two games in hand.

Nell insists the Phantoms remain in the driving seat, but at the same time has urged his players to remain focused on the job that faces them.

He said: “We could leap to the top of the table but Peterborough still have games in hand, so they remain in the driving seat.

“We’re on a good run of form at the moment and it’s important we remain focused on the job in front of us.

“As a hockey player, these are the type of games that you want to be involved in.

“Some of our best games this season have been against Peterborough. We therefore must be sharp and work hard.

“Our support this year has been fantastic, and that noise will be important come Saturday night.”

Following Saturday’s tie against the Phantoms, Wildcats will head east to the capital to face London Raiders – who have beaten Nell’s side in their last two outings.

Sunday’s game carries just as much importance as Saturday’s for Nell, and he will be looking for his team to reverse their poor form against the capital side so far this season.

A win for the Raiders could see them narrow the gap between themselves and fourth-placed Bracknell to five points with a game in hand.

Nell said: “Raiders are a tough team and we have lost our last two games against them.

“It will be a tough challenge and we can’t afford to take Sunday’s game lightly, regardless of the result on Saturday against Peterborough.

“It’s a tough building to play in too. They have a respectable record this year and no doubt will want to make it a hat-trick against us.”