Flames extinguish Wildcats hat trick.

Last Friday evening the Swindon Wildcats saw their run of late consequently come to an end, after losing out to the visiting Guildford Flames.

Despite overcoming the Flames twice earlier this season, it was not to be Swindon’s night as they fell the wrong side of 7-5 scoreline.

The night originally opened well for the home side, after ‘Cats import Matias Perkkio finally tapped in an attempt as Flames netminder Lee could do little but stack the pads. Moments before the period’s end and Guildford then drew level, with a power-play opportunity gifting David Longstaff his first of the night through a tap in from close range.

Two minutes into the second period and the Flames then took the lead for the first time in the game, this time with Rick Plant finishing from a pass behind the net for a second goal.

A momentary lapse by the ‘Cats would lead to Guildford’s third of the night, as a long wristshot from Ben Campbell saw the puck strike the roof of the net and past a poised Dean Skinns between the pipes.

A timeout by the home side quickly bought about a revised tactic and from here, Swindon looked to their offense to bring about a change. Within minutes that change then came in the form of a goal, as team captain Aaron Nell saw his shot beat Lee in net from what was the tightest of all angles.

Unfortunately the fight back was cut short in the 32nd minute, with Flames’ Paul Dixon connecting on a slapshot to find the back of the net, prior to netminder Skinns finding just the edge of his pad to slow the puck’s pace.

The away side’s momentum quickly led to a fifth for Guildford, with Andrew Sharp seeing his one timed effort fly into the net and past the blocker of Skinns once more.

A shorthanded give away then gave the Flames their sixth goal just a minute later, with Canadian forward Nathan Rempel calmly finishing on his one on one opportunity.

As the second period wound to a close Swindon did eventually find their reply and one that would see previous Perkkio score once again for his second. This time linking well with fellow line mate Jonas Hoog as the two combined for a well worked third tally.

A hard fought third period saw both sides tighten however in the 49th minute, Swindon would then find a fourth as a power-play opportunity left Perkkio to collect his hat trick with a simple wrist shotted effort. Despite this, Guildford soon looked to close the game out as previous scorer Longstaff added yet another to his season as he raced to the net to tap in a simple goal for a final seventh goal.

Swindon would make it five for their efforts after player-coach Ryan Aldridge caught a rebound from close range, however the game was to remain scoreless from here.