Wildcats defeated in season opener
The Swindon Wildcats fell to an opening night defeat as they lost a tight encounter against the Manchester Phoenix in a league/cup fixture at the Link Centre.
Wildcats fans were optimistic ahead of the new season, with the addition of imports Michal Kapicka (CZE) and Matias Perkkio (FIN) bringing skill to the side as well as Jamie Hayes and Chris Jones adding a lot of depth to the squad.
The optimism of a good season grew for the ‘Cats when Aaron Nell opened the scoring early on the powerplay with just over two minutes gone. He fired a trademark wrister past Steven Fone in the Phoenix net.
The ‘Cats were oozing with confidence and continued to apply a lot of pressure to the Phoenix. Just a few minutes later Swindon managed to grab a second through fan favourite, Jonas Hoog. He linked with Aaron Nell to fire one high into the top corner. Hoog and Nell formed a formidable partnership last season and it looks as if they could be a big force this time around.
Midway through the first the Phoenix started to get into the game and put a few shots on Dean Skinns in the Swindon net. They managed to grab a goal back with 15 minutes gone as Czech Michal Psury managed to squeeze a backhand past Skinns. The teams went to the locker rooms with the score at two goals to one in the favour of Swindon.
The Phoenix started the second in a better manner and early into the period they tied the game up at two. On the powerplay, Joachim Flaten put a one-time past Skinns with assists coming from Psurny and Hand. The rest of the second lacked the excitement that the first brought, but a good third period loomed with the teams locked at two goals apiece.
Both teams created early chances in the final frame, but the Phoenix managed to take the lead for the first time with ten minutes left in the game. Michal Flaten grabbed his second of the night in a scrappy goal that was unassisted.
Just as the game seemed to be getting away from the ‘Cats, Jonas Hoog bagged a great equaliser with five minutes left after Shane Moore showed some great skill to keep the puck in the zone. A nervy few minutes for both sides ended as the teams went into overtime.
A goalless overtime meant penalty shots. Aaron Nell stepped up first for the ‘Cats and fired a quick wristshot into the chest of Fone. Psurny stepped up first for the Phoenix and lifted one past Skinns. Perkkio skilfully roofed one for the ‘Cats to tie it at one. Ciaran Long easily deked past Skinns to take the lead, meaning that Jonas Hoog had to score shooting third for the Cats. He could only manage to hit the post and that meant that the Phoenix grabbed the opening night victory.
Tomorrow evening Swindon head north and face the tough task of taking on the Sheffield Steeldogs.
