TEENAGER Toms Rutkis had a weekend to savour as he laid down his claim for a regular spot in the Swindon Wildcats line-up with two goals in two days.

The Latvian-born Great Britain youth international, who is just 17-years-old, was described as “the best player on the ice” by Wildcats head coach Ryan Aldridge after he netted his side’s consolation goal during their 5-1 loss to the Peterborough Phantoms on Saturday.

Rutkis then followed that up by clinching the official man of the match accolade after finding the net in Sunday’s 6-3 win at the Milton Keynes Lightning.

The Oakanagan Academy player, who was also part of the GB side that won Division 2B at the U20 World Championships at the end of last year, produced an instinctive sliding finish to score the Wildcats’ sixth at MK and feels that he’s earning his stripes in the English Premier League.

“I just kind of fell over, had to do something quickly about it and it went in,” said Rutkis, who also notched against Telford Tigers in December.

“I’ve played three games and scored a goal every game. (I’m) going to keep going there, working hard and showing that I can keep up with the experienced guys.

“You don’t have as much time to think – you just have to do it.

“It’s faster (than age group hockey), the players are stronger and it’s a higher level. You have to work harder to try and keep up.

“When I play with my age group now, if I play like I play with these guys, I’m much better.

“I try to speak to the guys to see if I did something right, see if I can improve; try and get better.”

Swindon chief Aldridge says that Rutkis is a hot prospect and that the youngster is continuing to play his way into his plans.

“I think it’s just the way he handles the puck, the way he battles – he doesn’t lose many battles, even with grown men,” said the Link Centre boss.

“He never gives up on second plays, he works really hard all over the ice. His positional play is outstanding right now and I think that’s credit to Pete Russell (GB coach) because I think when he first came, he hadn’t really had that installed in him.

“He was great. The goal he scored one-handed on his knees was pretty spectacular as well.

“It will go game-by-game and the OHAs (Academy) games and who they’re playing and stuff like that, but I’m sure he’s going to be in our line-up quite often.

“He’s battling with the younger Brits as well and he’s obviously scored three goals now in limited ice time. He’s demanding a spot.

“He’s pretty talented and we’ve got a few of those talented guys but he’s probably the one that’s more like a man than any of them so far.”

Aldridge is hoping that young forward Ollie Betteridge will return to training this week after missing last weekend’s outings with the knee injury he picked up against Bracknell Bees.

The 19-year-old was hurt after taking a heavy hit into the boards during Swindon’s 3-2 triumph and has been being treated by the medical staff at Elite League parent club Nottingham Panthers.

The Wildcats coach said: “He’s been seeing the Panthers physio all week. He’s been getting treatment over the weekend as well.

“He’s hoping to be back on the ice this week but although I completely trust Nottingham’s training staff, he’s got to see ours as well before we get him the all-clear.

“Hopefully, even if it’s a light skate this week, we’ll get him back on the ice.”