The Bespoke Guardians Swindon Wildcats got their 2021/22 NIHL campaign underway with a double header weekend against the Leeds Knights. The game saw new faces for both teams, with the Wildcats handing opportunities to youngsters Oli Endicott, Bailey Hind-Pitcher and Cain Russell. However, the biggest news was the welcome return of fans to the Better Link Centre for the first time since March 2020.
Once the first puck of the new season was dropped, it was the Wildcats who’d delight the returning home faithful by getting off to the perfect start. Just 57 seconds were on the clock when Edgars Bebris tapped home from close range following a pass from Chris Jones that left visiting netminder Sam Gospel with no chance. Gospel would then make several smart saves as the home team had the better of the early exchanges. However, Leeds grew into the game as the period went on, with Renny Marr having to be sharp to preserve his team’s one goal lead.
Two penalties late in the first period saw Leeds start the second with a 5 on 3 powerplay and they wasted no time in taking advantage. A nicely weighted pass from Matty Davies found Lewis Baldwin, who fired a one-time shot past Marr to level the scores at 20:22. Leeds would continue to put the pressure on the Wildcats during the period, forcing Marr into a string of fine saves, while Gospel had to be alert to deny Reed Sayers from close range. As the period wound down, the Knights would take the lead by again capitalising on a powerplay opportunity. Baldwin this time was the provider as his stretch pass picked out Adam Barnes, who skated down the right wing and bear Marr with a fine shot.
The Wildcats pushed for an equaliser in the early stages of the third period, with Gospel deny both Tomasz Malasinski and Neil Liddiard. The third period would be a feisty affair, with Liddard ejected as the third man into an altercation. However, this would not deter the Wildcats and they’d level the scores at 45:32. Aaron Nell was on hand to score from the rebound after Gospel padded away a Bebris effort, with Balint Pakozdi picking up the second assist. The game would pick up in intensity as both teams went in search for a go-ahead goal, with the home side ultimately finding it. Wildcats captain Sam Bullas perfectly executed a 2-on-1 break, showing patience before finding Jack Goodchild in the slot. The young forward calmly slotted a low shot past Gospel to give his side a 3-2 lead at 55:18.
The Knights would pull netminder Gospel for an extra attacker in the final minute in an attempt to find a vital goal, but the Wildcats would hold firm. Marr denied Davies with seconds remaining and the home fans could celebrate a 3-2 win on their return to the rink. On a night for the netminders, Marr and Gospel earnt their teams’ respective man of the match honours.
On Sunday, the Wildcats headed to Yorkshire in the return game of the double header weekend. Once again, the Cats would take an early lead, this time through Reed Sayers, but goals from Lewis Houston and Matty Davies gave Leeds a 2-1 first period advantage. Cain Russell and Chris Jones turned the game around for the Wildcats in the second period, with Aaron Nell extending the lead early in the third. Jordan Fisher pulled one back for the Knights but again it would be Swindon who held on for the 4-3 win, ensuring back-to-back successes from the opening challenge weekend.
The Bespoke Guardians Swindon Wildcats conclude their pre-season challenge games this coming weekend with a double header against Bees IHC. Tickets for Saturday’s home game at the Better Link Centre (18:30 faceoff) are on sale now, with the return game taking place with a 5pm faceoff on Sunday at the Slough Ice Arena.
Words by Thomas Graham
