As the temperatures start to warm up, the days begin to get longer and the Swindon Wildcats have announced March Madness. The time of year is upon us where the games come thick and fast and they are the most important ones of the season.

The end of season playoffs will take place in a different format this season. Below is a breakdown of how the 2017/2018 NIHL Playoffs will work:

–        The top 8 teams will qualify for the Quarter-Final stage of the competition. The 1st place team will play the 8th, 2nd vs 7th, 3rd vs 6th and 4th vs 5thThis means as it stands we will be taking on Streatham in a two-legged home and away QF on the weekend of the 17th & 18th March. Due to Swindon having home advantage we can confirm we will be playing the home leg on Sunday 18th March.

–        After the Quarter-Final stage the 4 remaining teams will then battle it out in a two-legged Semi-Final. These games will be decided by the winner of 1st vs 8th taking on the winner of 4th vs 5th. Then the winner of 3rd vs 6th taking on the winner of 2nd vs 7th. These games will be played on the weekend of 24th & 25th March.

 –        After the two Semi-Final winners have been confirmed, the NIHL South Regional Final will take place. The winner will then be crowned the Southern Champion. The final will be played on the weekend of 31stMarch 1stApril.

 

–        BOTH Southern and Northern finalists will then qualify for the Coventry National Finals weekend, where the two teams from the south take on the two teams from the north. These will take place at the Coventry Skydome on 7th8thApril

 –        NIHL National Cup Final – If both Swindon Wildcats & Sheffield Steeldogs are knocked out of the Quarter final stage, we will play the NIHL national cup final on the weekend of 24th & 25thMarch. If one or both teams are then knocked out at the semi-final stages we will play the cup final on the weekend of 31st March & 1st April. If one team make it all the way through to the Southern & National finals then we will play the 1st leg in Sheffield on Wednesday 11th April and the 2nd leg in Swindon on Sunday 15th April.

 

“This is the business end of the season, and everyone associated with the Wildcats are eager to get going. With the Autumn Cup final, the end of season playoffs and then the NIHL National Cup all on the horizon it’s an incredibly exciting time to be part of the Swindon Wildcats.” Said Head Coach Aaron Nell.

“Everything we have been building towards is almost upon us. The players cannot wait to hit the ice for some of the biggest games in Wildcats history. We are heavily focussed on what is to come and whilst it is an exciting time, we know the hard work is still to come. I’m happy with what the boys have achieved this season but the time is now to put the cherry on top of the cake.” Nell added.

Tickets for the Playoff-Quarter Final Home Leg, on Sunday 18th March are on-sale NOW. They will be available online, through the Wildcats app or by phoning 01793 886857.

For the 18th March Season ticket holders will need to bring Ticket 27 within their booklet.

 

Tickets for the Semi-Final will be available on Monday 19th March and tickets for the Southern Final game will be available on the Monday 26th March, qualification permitting.