Scimitars rally to stun Wildcats

SWINDON , UK –  The Sheffield Scimitars came back from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Swindon Wildcats 5-3 in a thoroughly entertaining EPL encounter at the Swindon Link Centre.
 
The Wildcats gave a debut to new import signing Jason Cassells and Cassells quickly notched up his first point in a Wildcats jersey with an assist on the opening goal scored by Lee Richardson on 4:25 . The Wildcats dominated the opening period and added further strikes by Raimonds Danilacs and Aaron Nell before the buzzer. Sheffield iced only 2 imports and at this point this looked to be leaving them short of quality against the 4 non EIHA players in Wildcats colours.
 
Whatever was said in the Sheffield changing room during the first period break certainly did the trick. The Scimitars came flying out of the blocks and scored twice in 23 seconds early in the period. Peter Slamiar and Robert Farmer getting their names on the score sheet. The balance of the game had shifted and from this point on the Scimitars took control. Geoff Woolhouse the Wildcats goal tender pulled of a number of fine saves to keep the Wildcats ahead at the 40 minute mark.
 
The Scimitars started the final period as they did the second with 2 quick strikes to give them a lead they never looked like surrendering. James Archer on a 5 on 3 powerplay equalised before Peter Slamiar’s second 34 seconds later deservedly put the visitors ahead. Matt Haywood put the icing on the cake with a fifth 90 seconds from the end sending the Wildcats fans home more than a little bit disgruntled by their teams collapse.
 
On Sunday the Scimitars returned home and continued their fine form with a 7-2 victory over the Basingstoke Bison. Things did not get any better for the Wildcats as they travelled to the Guildford Flames and lost 9-2.
 
Contact the author on dave.logan@prohockeynews.com