The Bespoke Guardian Swindon Wildcats secured Two points in the opening games of the play offs in a enthralling battle with the Peterborough Phantoms this weekend.
The Wildcats suffered a frustrating 3-0 loss to the Phantoms at home on Saturday night. But they responded perfectly on Sunday night in Peterborough beating them in the return game 4-3.
This puts all four teams
(Peterborough, Basingstoke, Sheffield and Swindon) in the group on two points with four games to play.
Swindon Wildcats Vs Peterborough Phantoms Game 1 in Swindon:
The game started off very even with both teams defending well and not letting any pucks on net.
The Phantoms got the first big chance of the game with a shot in the slot but Renny Marr was there to make the save.
End of first period Wildcats 0-0 Phantoms
The Second period started off just like the first with both teams defending the net very well.
Phantoms forward Ales Padalek broke away with a bit of space but his shot pinged off the cross bar.
However Phantoms did get the breakthrough with Glenn Billing tipping the puck past Renny.
End of second period Wildcats 0-1 Phantoms
The Wildcats did have a better third period throwing more pucks at net but Jordan Marr was equal making save after save.
With just under three minutes to go the Wildcats threw everything at it but Padalek picked up the loose puck and made no mistake slotting it past Renny to give the Phantoms a two goal lead.
With under two minutes to play the Cats pulled Renny for the extra skater and sent more shots at net but just couldn’t find the goal and Duncan Spiers picked up an empty net goal to secure a 3-0 win for the Phantoms.
Swindon Wildcats Vs Peterborough Phantoms Game two in Peterborough:
The first period started off very much like the night before with both teams defending their net well and stopping pucks coming at net.
The first big chance fell to Floyd Taylor who broke away on the penalty kill but his shot was just flicked over the bar.
End of first period Wildcats 0-0 Phantoms
With the Wildcats getting an early power play they took full advantage of this as Aaron Nell received a pass from Emil Svec and ripped it past a scrambling Jordan Marr.
But the Phantoms responded well with a goal of their own as Glenn Billing paid rent in front of the net and picked up a rebound and flicked it past Renny.
End of second period Wildcats 1-1 Phantoms
With the Phantoms starting the period off with a five on three power play they took full advantage of that as Nathan Salem shot the puck through the traffic and into the back of the net.
However Wildcats captain Sam Bullas showed some fight as he burst his way through from a face off and flicked the puck high over Jordan Marr’s shoulder to tie the game up at two a piece.
Just minutes later Phantoms got their lead back with Callum Buglass shooting the puck from the blue line and finding a way into the top corner.
But the Wildcats didn’t give up as Balint Pakozdi threw the puck towards goal and it bobbled over the shoulder of Jordan Marr and into the net.
With 49 seconds left to play Edgars Bebris wrist shot the puck at net and it trickled past Jordan Marr to give the Wildcats a huge two points on the road as he celebrated in style!
End of Game Wildcats 4-3 Phantoms
Your Bespoke Guardian Swindon Wildcats are back in action with their third play off game against the Sheffield Steeldogs on Saturday 17th April.
