Tonight the Swindon Wildcats had to face a setback in their playoff fixture to Coventry after losing out to the Guildford Flames on home ice. Within a great first period that saw the two teams battle hard, it was Guildford that broke the scoring after being given a 5 on 3 opportunity. After a build up around the net, Flames’ David Savage saw his slapshot beat netminder Hadfield and give the travelling side the lead.
However it was Swindon who would score next on a powerplay of their own way into the second period. Just over the 35^th minute mark the crowd saw popular import Jonas Höög link up with defenseman Joe Baird to provide an opening home goal and give the team a well earned goal. The celebrations made it clear how important the game was as and how focused the ‘Cats were on finding that next goal. Although the goal looked to knock the Flames, Guildford’s David Longstaff one-timed shot shortly after was able to find the net for his sides’ second what looked to be a momentum stopping goal.
By the end of the second only the one goal could split to the two sides much like the first however the final twenty was to see the momentum go a different way.
The travelling sides’ Nathan Rempel was the first to find the net with just a minute gone in the third, after connecting with a tape to tape pass skating into the slot. With ten minutes gone Swindon were to strike back through Jonas Höög, scoring on a great individual effort to beat the netminder 5 hole on a breakaway opportunity. Five minutes on and the Flames would then strike back on away ice after scoring a fourth in the 49^th minute. With Guildford’s Paul Dixon able to find the net from the tightest of angles for a top corner goal, it meant the Flames had doubled their lead with just ten minutes left on the clock and the challenge set for the ‘Cats.
Swindon showed real drive with the likes of Jonas Hoög and James Knight both striving forward from here however in the 54^th minute, Guildford’s Milos Melicherik was deliver a blow that would see a three goal deficit sit on the board. His accurate shot in front of net found not only the post but also the net as Guildford celebrated a fifth goal to leave the scores at 5-2.
Having faced shots all night, ‘Cats netminder James Hadfield did well to hold the Swindon net however with three minutes left and a shot that left him wondering where the puck had landed, it lined in a tap in effort for the away sides’ Mat Towe who confirmed a sixth goal and a consequent lead going into tomorrow night’s game as the two meet once again in the second of the two legged fixture.
It was a tough night for Swindon who although created some good plays did face a defence well on form and did well against a side who have only lost once in their last 16 games. With nothing to lose tomorrow Swindon may well take a different strategy to the Flames tomorrow as the two clash on Guildford ice in a place for a final four spot to be played at Coventry.

Final Score: Swindon Wildcats 2 – 6 Guildford Flames

Man of the Match: SWI – Höög / GUI – Longstaff

Scott Gummerson – Press Officer
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Swindon Wildcat's Andrew Steele-Davis caught up with Head Coach Ryan Aldridge ahead of the massive Playoff weekend against the Guildford Flames to discuss Ryan's thoughts on the season, preparation for the two games against the Flames and why Ryan prefers to be playing on home ice first.

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Nick Taylor from Swindon 105.5 caught up with Swindon Wildcat's Head Coach Ryan Aldridge to discuss this weekend's titanic clash with the Guildford Flames in the Playoffs, a look back at what has been a very eventful season and also a look towards what the summer has in store for Ryan. Listen to this exclusive interview on the Swindon 105.5 Leisure Show tomorrow morning (Sat) between 10:30 and 11am on Swindon 105.5FM frequency in the Swindon area or online at  http://www.facebook.com/l/8e791ojW0bSXTxjEBycbI4MgPAg/www.swindon1055.com.

The 28^th edition of Swindon Wildcat’s official match night magazine, ‘The Lair’ will be on sale for the final time this season ahead of Saturday’s Playoff clash against the Guildford Flames in what is the Wildcats last home game of the 2010/2011 season. And to celebrate the Playoff action this weekend, ‘The Lair’ magazine is a bumper 40 pages, full to the brim with features and interviews direct from the Cat’s Locker Room.

In the Guildford issue, there is a feature length interview with Jan Melichar who looks back on his successful first year at Swindon and as he tells ‘The Lair’ magazine, he is looking to use his experience to help guide Swindon to Coventry.

Programme Editor Andrew Steele-Davis takes a look back at the season in ‘Coventry Waiting’ and the Swindon media get together to offer their views on the Cat’s season in ‘From The Press Box.’ Lee Richardson gives his thoughts on the clash with the Flames in ‘Captain’s Corner’ and Press Officer Scott Gummerson looks at the impact star forward Jonas Hoog has had since joining the club.

The visitors, Guildford Flames, are dissected and assessed in ‘Tonight’s Visitors’ and we give you the lowdown on the dangermen that will be looking to fire the Flames into the final four. James Handscombe gives his verdict on who he thinks will be battling it out at Coventry next week and Head Coach Ryan Aldridge introduces the game in ‘Face-Off with Aldy’.

Brother Bill goes stats crazy with his excellent CatStats article and Club Photographer Nicky Pearce presents her best images of the season.

Don’t miss this exclusive rare edition of the official Swindon Wildcats match night magazine, ‘The Lair’, the perfect souvenir for any Cat’s fan!