The Swindon Wildcats defeated the Milton Keynes Lighting in overtime in game one of the play offs.
A thrilling night at the Link Centre with Aaron Nell returning from injury and scoring the overtime winning goal which secured the Wildcats maximum points from game one.
Both teams putting it all out on the ice, throwing big hits and putting bodies on the line blocking shots.
Nell said ‘It was big to get that win at home, MK were really good but we battled hard and i think both teams getting at least a point was fair but very happy to get the maximum.”
“We can go into tomorrows game with confidence after winning tonight.” added Nell.
Edgars Bebris got the Man of the match award with a stellar performance where he scored the Wildcats second goal and defended brilliantly all night.
Game Report:
The game started off very physical with both teams throwing some huge hits, really setting the tone of ‘Play off hockey’.
Both keepers were called into action early on, Renny Marr made a big save to deny Milton Keynes the lead. The Wildcats themselves nearly scored early on but Hedley also made a comfortable glove save.
The Lightning got a powerplay opportunity at the end of the first period but it would be the Wildcats who broke away with Billing finding Lubwele who fired his shot past Hedley to give the Wildcats the lead shorthanded.
End of the first period: Wildcats 1-0 Pitbulls
The Wildcats started the second period on the front foot pressuring the MK net and they got rewarded. Bebris found some space inside the blue line and fired it top corner, assisted by Cowley and Whitfield.
The Lightning battled back into the game and really pressured the Wildcats net and at 32:07 Dillon Lawrence first timed the puck through Marr assisted by Venus and Knaggs.
The Lightning really picked up momentum and penned the Cats in the zone forcing a penalty at the end of the period. However the Wildcats killed it well making it a one goal game going into the third.
End of the second period: Wildcats 2-1 Lightning
The Lightning really turned up the gears in the third period and tied it up early with McEwen playing a lovely pass over to Martelly who made no mistake firing it past Marr at 44:04.
The Cats battled back despite dropping the two goal lead and both teams cancelled each other out and the game headed to overtime.
End of the third period: Wildcats 2-2 Lightning
Up stepped Nell who received a perfect pass from Lubwele and rifled it past Hedley sending the Wildcats fans bonkers.
End of the game: Wildcats 2-2 Lightning
The Wildcats secured a huge two points to kickstart the play off campaign however there is still five games to go starting tomorrow against the Lightning in Milton Keynes.
