BRACKNELL, UK – Two goals apiece from Michal Pinc and Jaroslav Cesky helped the Bees to a 5-3 win over Swindon – moving Bracknell into the playoff places.
The Bees started strongly, and built a four-goal lead in the first ten minutes of the game. A revival from the Wildcats was in vain as Jaroslav Cesky’s late goal took the Bees out of reach. Bees netminder Carl Ambler said, “The inspiration for the good start was down to the bad starts we have had in our last three games. We knew we had to come out the blocks running.” The Wildcats were frustrated as Amber made 40 saves, picking up the man of the match award in the process. Ambler added, ” The man of the match felt awesome. I’ve been wanting the home man of the match for a long time now and let me tell you it was so sweet to get it, especially on Sunday.”
It took the home side less than three minutes to open the scoring when Pinc scrambled the puck home. Swindon protested that the puck hadn’t gone in, but referee Joy Tottman awarded the power play goal.
Ambler made 40 saves to end a Swindon comeback (Photo Chris Callaghan)
Swindon were unable to create any early chances, and Jaroslav Cesky redirected a shot from Sam Waller to make it 3-0 to the Bees. The Cats let frustration get the better of them as another mistake was pounced on by Peter Jasik, who beat netminder Chris Douglas with a powerful shot to the roof of the net.
Douglas was replaced by James Hadfield and he had a more peaceful time between the pipes as his side looked for a way back into the game.
The Cats regrouped after the first intermission and played with more commitment, giving them a route back into the contest. Egidijus Bauba had disrupted the Bees throughout the first period with some gritty tactics, and he upset the crowd at the Hive even more when his shot trickled through Ambler’s legs to get Swindon on the board.
The Bees looked nervous defensively, as the Cats looked for a second goal. Ryan Aldridge took advantage as he smashed the puck home in mid-air to give the traveling fans hope of a comeback with a power play goal.
The game was nervously poised after two periods. With the next goal so important, the Bees drew a huge sigh of relief when Cesky’s quick shot found the bottom corner of the net to give his side some breathing room.
A late consolation goal from Jonas Hoog was in vain as the Bees ran out deserved winners to jump above the Sheffield Steeldogs in the EPL table, who fell to the Milton Keynes Lightning. Contact the author david.bol@prohockeynews.com
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