SWINDON Wildcats produced a dogged performance at the Link Centre as they edged the Guildford Flames 7-6.

In a high competitive game, Nell bagged a hat-trick plus Tomasz Malasinski’s double while Jan Kostal and Mark Smith both got one.

The first period was a frustrating one for the hosts as they fell behind in the 6th minute through dubious circumstances.

Guildford’s Marek Maslonka had bundled the puck into the back of the net, but the referees were unsure if there was a foul in the build up but after some discussion they were awarded the breakthrough.

Luckily for Swindon, Tomasz Malasinski was on hand to get the Cats back level in the 7th minute when he poked his effort against the post through a crowd.

However he went from hero to villain as Guildford got back in front through Danny Meyers whilst Malasinski was serving a two minute penalty for delay of play.

Guildford’s goal was well worked as they moved the puck nicely before Meyers crept to the back post unnoticed to apply a simple finish.

But with just under four minutes of the opening period, Swindon returned the favour with a power play goal of their own when Aaron Nell made it 2-2 after hitting his shot through traffic.

In the second period it didn’t take long for the Flames to regain the lead, Matic Kralj getting their third with the clock reading 25:22.

The Wildcats were ponderous in their approach for yet another equaliser as they huffed and puffed with no real end product against a robust Guildford side.

It then went from bad to worse for the hosts as Meyers doubled his tally for the night as he put Guildford two goals ahead.

However the Cats weren’t done there as Jan Kostal moved them to within a goal of their opposition late in the second period.

Before Nell got his second of the game to drag his side back to level terms with 10 seconds of the period remaining as they went into the final stage at 4-4.

A fantastic goal for the Wildcats as they swept the puck from right to left, before it fell to Nell who was able to strike it into the roof of the net on 43:25. Swindon’s lead was short lived as the visitors added their fifth of the game, this time it was Jens Eriksson who got the goal to make it 5-5.

After their promising start to the third period, the Wilcats found themselves behind again when Marek Maslonka’s 49th minute goal made it 6-5 to the visitors.

Maslonka was allowed plenty of room out wide, before his early release caught everyone out, including the Swindon netminder, Stevie Lyle.

Then with just over seven minutes remaining, Nell’s Wildcats again clawed themselves back level through Mark Smith who made the most of the home pressure to make it 6-6.

Another great pass from Jonas Hoog who was able to pick out an incoming Malasinski to tuck home the seventh Wildcats goal, handing the hosts the lead with five minutes left to play.

After the goal tempers flared at the Link Centre, Max Birbraer was the first to get involved, he then recieved two plus two for fighting. 

But he was later joined by Sam Bullas who got two plus two and was then sent to the lockeroom for leaving the bench as the game ended 7-6.