SWINDON Wildcats player-coach Aaron Nell hailed his predecessor Stevie Lyle after the veteran netminder kept Telford Tigers at bay in a 5-3 win.

The Shropshire visitors stormed into a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Jonathan Weaver, Joe Miller and Jason Silverthorn.

However, a double from Nell and further goals from Jonas Hoog, Adam Harding and Tomasz Malasinski ensured that the Wildcats claimed their third win over Telford this season.

Despite Nell walking away with the official player of the match award it was the Welshman who the Cats were most grateful for.

In what have been a difficult time for the former Great Britain ace after relinquishing the reins at the Link Centre before returning to the club as a player, Lyle was on top form as he kept out nearly 70 shots from the Tigers.

“Stevie was unbelievable tonight,” Nell said. “He is massive for our team and we want him here for a long time.

“Since the coaching thing has finished he has been great and every game he has played since then he has been unbelievable.

“He is, if not the most, one of the most valuable players in this league.

“It was a crazy couple of weeks (for him). Everyone likes Stevie and playing the way he has on the ice makes it easier for him.

“He is a massive, massive part of our club and we are very happy to see him back in goal.”

Despite trailing 3-0 early in the second period, Nell always believed that his side would find a way back into the match.

“I knew that we were going to get chances,” he said. “In the first period we didn’t get to the net enough.

“Then we scored three in the second right in front the net and we stuck to our shape.

“If there is a time to go three down then it is 22 minutes into the match, so we were patient, got some massive goals in the second (period) and never look back.”

However, Wildcats will be without import Carlo Finucci for tomorrow’s trip to Hull Pirates after he was sent from the ice for abuse of an official before throwing his stick away as he left the rink.

“He was frustrated and it is disappointing that he is out for a match,” the player-coach added.

“Things do get heated, but Carlo has been great for us since he has been here.

“He is a bit frustrated tonight, he will learn and will be ready for next Saturday.

“We will hopefully get a win for him tomorrow night and then it is on him to have a big week next week.”