SWINDON Wildcats had a mixed start to their play-off campaign against Bracknell Bees.

After a fine 2-1 win at the Link Centre on Saturday, Wildcats were convincingly beaten 6-3 in the return at Bracknell last night.

Michael Farn and Tomas Janak earned victory on Saturday to get Cats' play-off bid off to a perfect start.

But joy turned to despair in Bracknell last night.

Cats trailed 3-0 after the opening period as Bracknell surged into a commanding position with goals from Kurt Reynolds (2) and skipper Adam Bicknell scoring for the home side.

The opener arrived after Farn lost his helmet and, after being forced to return to the bench, Bracknell took advantage to score on the break courtesy of Reynolds.

One soon became two on the 10-minute mark as Reynolds struck again, this time beating a screened Nathan Craze in the Cats net.

Swindon then had a chance to pull a goal back when Matt Foord was handed a penalty but Cats failed to make the extra skater count.

After Bees killed off that powerplay, Robin Davison was penalised for a clash with Bicknell, the Swindon man receiving a 2+10 minute penalty for his troubles. Bicknell then added insult to injury, scoring his side's third goal.

Former Swindon netminder Gregg Rockman enjoyed an outstanding second period to frustrate Wildcats.

Despite Cats enjoying a much better period than the first, they could not beat their old teammate Rockman with Joel Petkoff, John Wheaton and Ciaran Long all going close.

And while Swindon were denied by Rockman, it was Bracknell who extended their lead to 4-0 with Michael Kanka scoring.

Wildcats enjoyed a powerplay of their own after 27 minutes, with Brad Watchorn receiving 2+10 minutes for tripping and dissent but Wheaton and Petkoff both failed to beat Rockman.

To add to Wildcats' woes they lost Davison to injury mid-way through the period after he was struck by a stick to the bridge of his nose.

However, Cats rallied in the final period after falling further behind to Bicknell's second strike of the night. Three goals in as many minutes reduced the arrears, if not the result, significantly.

Long scored Wildcats' first before Petkoff scored two more to ensure Swindon ended the night on a high note.

On Saturday night, Cats got off to a winning start in their play-off campaign.

Despite missing young forwards Matty Davies and Jamie Hayes, Cats started strongly and took the lead as early as 3.03.

Janak and Wheaton exchanged passes before the former scored past netminder Rockman.

Bracknell stepped up a gear in the second period, levelling through Bicknell at 22.22 but their joy was shortlived.

Adam Brittle fed Michael Farn and his shot went between the legs of Rockman at 23.19 to give the Cats a 2-1 lead.

Cats stuck to their game plan and contained Bracknell despite running into penalty problems with first, Davison and then Wheaton also serving a minor penalties.

MATCH DETAILS

(v Bracknell at home)

Swindon scorers: Farn and Janak 1 goal, 0 assists, Wheaton and Brittle 0+1

Period scores: Cats 1 Bees 0; 1-1; 0-0

Shots on goal: Cats 33 Bees 35

Penalty minutes: Cats 22 Bees 10

(v Bracknell away)

Swindon scorers: Long 1+0; Vrtik 0+1, Brittle 0+1, Petkoff 2+0

Period scores: 3-0, 1-0, 2-3 = 6-3

Penalty minutes: Bees 36 Cats 32

Shots on goal: Bees 39 Cats 25