After securing their place in the Semi-Finals of the Autumn Cup with a 6-4 win against Telford Tigers on Saturday, the Wildcats made the trip to Shropshire for their final game in the Autumn Cup group stage.
With the Renny Marr serving the final game of his suspension, starting duties would be left to Michael Crisp for the evening, with Tyler Perre taking the role of back-up. The game started with both sides carving out chances but in the 7th minute of the game the deadlock was broken. Jason Silverthorn broke down the wing and saw his initial shot saved by Crisp, only for Andy McKinney to wrap the puck around the net and slide the puck under the pads.
As the opening period was coming to a close the Wildcats were able to even the game up. Eddie Bebris was on hand to fire the loose puck from the slot high past Denis Bell, which cued the Eagle celebration from both #71 himself and the travelling Cats fans.
Into the second period and some sloppy shifts from the Cats saw them defending a 5-on-3 penalty, which the home side were able to capitalise on. Some neat passing work saw Scott McKenzie receive the puck at the back post and he picked his spot into the top right corner much like Bebris had in the first.
In almost the next shift, the Cats took another penalty and were again two men down. Just as Jan Kostal had stepped back onto the ice to give us 4 skaters, Andy McKinney wound up a huge slapshot from the point to give the hosts a 3-1 lead going into the third period.
The third period the Wildcats pressed back, and despite Eddie Bebris taking a 2-minute penalty, the duo of Max Birbraer and Aaron Nell combined on the shorthand to make it 3-2. Max sped down the left wing and slid the puck over to Nell whose one-timed slapshot went bar down and into the back of the goal.
As the Cats kept pushing, it would be a scrappy goal that tied the game up. Stevie Whitfield put the puck on net from the point and Aaron Nell was again on hand to divert the puck under Bell and into the net to tie the game at 3.
Just as the overtime period was beginning to loom, the Tigers did enough to secure victory through a superb unassisted goal. Danny Rose picked he puck up, moved down the right and fired a backhanded wristshot past Crisp in the Swindon net. A sublime piece of individual skill worthy of winning any game. With Crisp pulled, McKinney was able to round off the 5-3 win a late empty net goal.
Despite the defeat, the Wildcats remain the only team to have qualified for the Semi-Finals, staying on course to defend the trophy they won in style last season.
