SWINDON Wildcats boss Ryan Aldridge is predicting that the shield and not the sword will prove key in his side’s Challenge Cup semi-final showdown with the Manchester Phoenix tonight.

Aldridge’s men take on last season’s English Premier League regular-season champions at the Link Centre (face-off 7.45pm) looking to carve out a lead ahead of next month’s second leg in the north west.

The Wildcats head into tonight’s clash having topped their regional group and having faced-off against the Phoenix on home ice twice in the last eight weeks and the Swindon head coach thinks that whoever can blunt their opposition’s free-scoring offence will come out on top.

“I think they’re finally finding their form. Their top guys are scoring a lot right now and they’re very good offensively,” said Aldridge.

“They’re a team probably to match up with us so it’s who’s going to buy into the most defence, I think, has the chance to win the game “It’s going to be a tough game, there’s no doubt about that, but we’re going to be throwing everything at it and obviously, at home, we’re looking for a win.

“If we can have a couple of goals lead going in to it, we’ll be happy.”

Swindon ran out 4-2 winners on both of Manchester’s previous visits to the Link whilst they also claimed their first-ever victory at the Phoenix in their first away trip of the current season last September.

Meanwhile, new import forward Tomas Kana could be in line for his Wildcats debut in tonight’s cup semi-final.

The former Columbus Blue Jackets player flew into the country last night after sealing a move to Swindon at the weekend and Aldridge is looking forward to seeing the Czech forward in action.

“I think he’s very keen to get going here. I spoke a lot on the phone to him last night and today and I think he wants to get here and be a part of something that could be fun,” said the Wildcats chief.

“I was in touch with him last year in the summer time and it just didn’t work out. I did my research on him before so it was kind of a quick one.

“If he was able to make it in time, we’d take him and it’s worked out. I asked Jan (Kostal) about him again but Jani just said the same again.

“He wasn’t really given a chance at Karlovy Vary because it was the lockout year (2011-2012) and they had a couple of NHL-ers but he said he’s a good player, there’s no doubt about that.

“You don’t play where he’s played to not be and we’re looking forward to him coming in.”