Wildcats claus the Bison in post christmas sprit.
Decked out in festive seasonal shirts the Wildcats took to the ice and clawed out a win 7:5 win over Basingstoke Bisons.
The Game saw the return to the ‘Cats of Aaron Nell on a two way deal with Sheffield.
Match report by Scott Gummerson of www.swindonwildcats.com
Last Saturday evening the Swindon Wildcats returned after the festive break, when they hosted a visiting Basingstoke Bison side. With the return of Henri Sandvik and both newly signed Aaron Nell and Lee Richardson in the side, the ‘Cats took to the ice looking for a positive result to end the year.
It was not long before the home side were to open the scoring and after a pass from the wing, a quick close range hit from Swindon’s Nell would give Swindon their first of the night.
Two minutes into the second and the ‘Cats then doubled their lead, with Adam Harding collecting his first on a rebounded attempt. Basingstoke soon found a foothold in the game in the 22nd minute and after a back pass across the defense, the Bison’s Joe Miller was found alone on goal to score.
Not long after the goal did Swindon then see Stevie Lyle handed a game penalty, for what as an apparent high sticks. Consequently this led netminder Michael Crisp to take to the Swindon net and begin what became in eventful night on the ice.
With a major penalty called and a minor soon after, the Bison would then look about evening the scores with pressure around the net. The away side were eventually rewarded for their efforts, as Ciaran Long was found to tap the puck past Crisp from in front of the goal to make it 2-2.
Basingstoke again made use of the major penalty from here and a slapshot from Miroslav Mantroba then saw the Bison take the lead for the first time in the game.
No sooner had the goal been scored that Swindon then returned the favour, as Jonas Hoog linked up with Nell to slip the puck past netminder Dean Skinns with a sliding effort.
Hoog then made quick use of the momentum moments later, as the Swede struck simply with a back handed shot to beat Skinns once more.
This was however before the Bison found yet another, this time through Joe Miller’s high attempt over the glove of Crisp.
A powerplay chance for the travelling side then provided yet another momentum swing, as Ciaran Long used his grasp to twist and shoot low across the ice and into the Swindon net.
In an ever eventful second period, Swindon then added their next blow with Sam Smith releasing a rapid wristshot to strike the crossbar and score for a fifth goal.
Into the final third and it would be the Wildcats who would strike again as Nell would be found on a breakaway to score and with it, earn himself a hat trick.
Henri Sandvik’s simple tap in two minutes from time would all but confirm the Wildcats’ victory this night, as a final 7-5 score stood come the final buzzer.
Final Score: Swindon Wildcats 7 – 5 Basingstoke Bison
Man of the Match: SWI – Nell / BAS – Miller
By Scott Gummerson – Press Officer Swindon Wildcats
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