Sheffield Steel dogs the Wildcats

Last Saturday evening the Swindon Wildcats saw the end of their November campaign close with a loss, as they were eventually overcome by the Sheffield Steeldogs.

An early goal for the away side through Lloyd Gibson quickly set the pace of the game, however a 5 on 3 opportunity for the Wildcats soon made it 1-1. With Aku Pekkarinen’s wrist shot beating a screen of players to level the game, both sides headed into the second period with nothing between them.

Much like the first period it took just 30 seconds of play to see the next goal, this time coming courtesy of the home side. With the puck rebounding across the face of goal, new signing Jan Kostal was placed to simply tap the puck in and put the ‘Cats in the lead.

Sheffield’s Lubomir Korhon quickly levelled the scores soon after with an individual effort before Swindon then found a reply for a third.

New import Kostal would find himself on a breakaway and with a simple shot, the Czech’s effort found the net and gave the home side a 3-2 lead.

An unfortunate shorthanded situation for the ‘Cats then gave the Steeldogs a chance to get even and after play around the net, Sheffield’s Greg Wood eventually made it 3-3.

It was not long before the action packed period then produced its next goal, with Kostal collecting his well deserved hat trick for Swindon. His backhanded effort would find the top of the net and beat netminder Dalibor Sedlar to restore the ‘Cats lead.

A powerplay goal from the Steeldog’s Wood soon levelled the game early in the third, before Steve Duncombe netted 7 minutes from time with a close range shot.

This would stand to be final goal of the period and although testing Sedlar in net, Swindon were unable to respond as the buzzer sounded.

A final 5-4 loss means a response by the Swindon Wildcats will now be looked for next weekend, when they take on the Manchester Phoenix at the Swindon Ice Arena once more.

Final Score: Swindon Wildcats 4-5 Sheffield Steeldogs