Five wins on the bounce now for the Swindon Wildcats who defeated the Romford Raiders in back to back games this weekend!


Glenn Billing with a hat-trick on Saturday nights 4-2 victory while Jake Bricknell scored three points in the Wildcats 5-2 victory on Sunday in Romford. 


The Wildcats now move up to second in the league, one point ahead of the Leeds Knights.


Saturday Match Report:


The Raiders would score the first goal of the night with Norcliffe finding Sylvester in the slot who buried it past Renny Marr 05:14 into the game. But the Wildcats tied it up with a big powerplay goal from Glenn Billing who backhanded a rebound past the stranded Ethan James.


The Cats dominated the chances in the second period but James stood strong on many occasions to deny Nell and Bricknell. The Cats even got a 5 on 3 opportunity but the Raiders defence held firm to see the second period out still level.


The Wildcats had 20 seconds remaining on the 5 on 3 powerplay to start the third period and scored a huge goal. Glenn Billing again in the slot to tap it past James just 12 seconds into the period. After a bit of pressure from the Raiders and some big saves from Marr, Jake Bricknell then raced away and sauced a pass to Billing who one timed a shot past James to get his hat-trick and the Cats a two goal lead. The Raiders did pull it back to one however with Sylvester tapping a rebound past Marr at 55:21. The Romford side then pulled James for the extra skater but it would be the Wildcats who wrapped up the game. Nell finding Malasinski who scored the empty net goal. 


End of the game: Wildcats 4-2 Raiders


Sunday Match Report:  


The first period saw both teams defend very solid with Marr and James saving all the shots which were fired on goal. The Cats also killed off a 5 on 3 powerplay which gave them huge momentum going into the second period. 


Bricknell then carried on his fine form as he ripped a snipe which hit both posts and hit the back of the net timed at 22:44. The Cats then got a powerplay opportunity and Nell would double the lead with a powerful slap shot through the legs of James timed at 27:54. 


Just 1 minute and 34 seconds into the third period the Wildcats made it three, a lovely pass by Bricknell who saw Bradley in alone and he put it five-hole past James. The Raiders bit straight back with a powerplay goal of their own. Miller playing a perfect pass to Shewfelt who sniped it low past Marr timed at 43:21. However after a turnover in their own zone, Nell punished the Raiders with a slap shot which went straight into the top right corner at 44:31. The Raiders battled back into the game again with another powerplay goal, this time Miller firing in a rebound which snuck past Marr at 48:41. The Raiders threw everything at it but the Wildcats defended very strong stopping the home side from creating any clear opportunity’s. Malasinski then found some space and his shot bounced off Jack Cooper and into the net to wrap the game up for the Wildcats.


End of the game: Raiders 2-5 Wildcats


The Wildcats are back in action next Saturday as they face the Sheffield Steelodgs which also sees new signing Vanya Antonov make his debut for the Cats!