SWINDON Wildcats were able to survive a thrilling game at the Link Centre as they claimed a 6-5 win over the Sheffield Steeldogs in overtime.

Tomasz Malasinski’s hat-trick as well as Jonas Hoog and Sam Bullas’ goal wasn’t enough to separate the two side as it finished 5-5 at the end of the third period.

But it was youngster Jordan Kelsall who will get all of the plaudits after he bundled the puck home in the 61st minute.

In their first home game for a fortnight Swindon came flying out of the traps against the Sheffield Steeldogs.

With some frantic opening exchanges, it was the visitors who got the early lead when MaCauley Heywood was left unattended at the back post in the 6th minute.

After the puck eventually found its way to the 20-year-old as he applied the finish to nudge the Steeldogs in front.

They almost added a second moments late, but a fantastic diving block from Mark Smith ensured the game remained at 0-1.

The Wildcats were then able to crank up the pressure towards the end of the first period and after peppering the visitor’s net the hosts found a way through in Malasinski in the 13th minute to level proceedings.

The second period saw a triple blow for Aaron Nell’s side, first they fell behind for the second time of the game when Arnoldas Bosas was able to beat Lyle with the clock reading 24:27.

They then compounded their advantage in the middle of the period when Donatas Kumeliauskas was able to find a way through the glove of Lyle.

After conceding twice Hoog was rewarded with a penalty shot when he was chopped down when he was through on goal, but the Swede was unable to make the most of it, as his effort was saved.

The third period looked like it could be a long one for the home side as the Steeldogs were defensively solid.

But Swindon were able to give themselves a slither of hope when Sam Bullas reduced the deficit to one. That goal gave Nell’s side the boost they needed as Hoog brought them level with 11 minutes left to play.

Malasinski was then able to double his goal tally to hand Swindon a late lead when he latched onto a loose pass in the Steeldogs defensive third, before slotting the puck into the net to make it 4-3

However the final period was not done there as the Steeldogs hit back with a goal of their own when Ashley Calvert added a dramatic equaliser in the 54th minute.

Things then went from bad to worse for the home side as they conceded a fifth when Kumeliauskas got his second of the game to make it 4-5.

That goal resulted in Nell calling a time out for his side, which did the trick for the hosts as Malasinski completed his hat-trick to make it 5-5 with time running out.

With nothing separating the two sides in normal time, it was the teenager Kelsall who grabbed the winning goal to snatch a win for the Wildcats.