GBU @ Swindon Wildcats
Posted by Administrator on Mon 8th February, 2010
Last Wednesday the Swindon Wildcats were in action against the Great Britain University Team. The game was part of an early preparation for the GB side, eventually working towards the Turkey 2011World Winter University Games. The game saw some top talent from the university side, including Cardiff Devils’ Ben Davies, Coventry Blazes’ Tom Ledgard and Swindon’s own Sam Bullas.
As to be expected the game was not a highly intense, hard hitting affair however the game saw some great plays by both sides and good potential especially from the younger GB players. Team GB opened with some early chances and tested ‘Cats goalie Chris Douglas several times. He and the rest of the team stood strong until the 15th minute when a peculiar play saw the puck find the back of the net. A pass like shot saw the puck drift through a screen of players and past the skate of Douglas before crossing the line for GB’s first. Two minutes later and with some good play around the net, Swindon’s Aaron Nell responded with a wrist shot past the blocker of the GB’s netminder for the home sides first of the night. The period was bought to an end three minutes on and the score stood at 1-1 after 20 minutes.
The second period saw much of the same as the first and both sides began to press forward looking for further chances on goal. Seven minutes in and the home side then got that chance when local player Wayne Fiddes received the puck in front of goal. Once picking his spot, a wrist shot aiming 5 hole made its way past GB’s Alan Levers for Swindon’s second of the evening.
The second period went on and with it the ambition of the GB side to grab that next goal rose with it. The physicality also rose from here especially from the Wildcats’ defenseman however at 36:51, GB University’s Will Weldon doubled his teams score with a poke check and quick shot into the opposing net. The last four minutes of the period saw no further talking goals by either side and both teams went into the locker room with the score at 2-2.
The final period saw a different approach by both sides and throughout the last twenty minutes it looked as if both had really settled into their game. Longer passes, set plays and harder checks all made for a more exciting game. Penalty kills were swapped by either side and before long Swindon had found their third of the evening when import Jozef Kohut hit a rapid shot past GB’s Levers and into the net. This caused a timeout to be called by the visiting side however nothing looked to prevail when the ‘Cats then found another for the evening through defenseman Jan Krajicek. A hit from the point from previous scorer Aaron Nell led to Krajicek deflecting the puck and past the netminder, in a well executed play.
Swindon netminder Glen Jackson was called into action shortly after to rest Wildcats’ Douglas and with it, saw Jackson have his fair share of shots. Multiple chances by Ben Davies eventual Man of the Match. Luke Piggott tested Jackson but he held his own for the rest of the period. Eventually the period came to a close and the home side earned the win but against an enthusiastic and eager side who have a lot of potential for the future.
Man of the Match – Steven Whitfield, Ben Davies
Scott Gummerson – Swindon Wildcats Online
pressoffice@swindonwildcats.com