SWINDON, UK – Swindon Wildcats lifted the Britton Conference title last night thanks to a 4-2 win over the Bracknell Bees in front of a delighted home crowd.
Fittingly it was Player Coach Aaron Nell who led the charge with two goals, adding to efforts from Toms Rutkis and Sam Jones on a night in which the Cats finally sealed that elusive league title.
“It’s been a great couple of months and all credit goes to the players” said Coach Nell in the post-game interviews.
“Our goal this year was to win the league so it’s great for the club. It’s the one everyone wants to win, and given where we were in December when people were doubting us, it’s good to see the changes we made have paid off.”
A dismal December had left the Cats adrift of an in-form Peterborough Phantoms prior to Christmas, however Nell shuffled his pack replacing the talented Adam Harding with former club hero Jonas Hoog to give his team more of a cutting edge. It was a move that left the Cats carrying a spare import, but unable to ice all three due to league restrictions.
Following the Swede’s addition, the club went on to streak harder than Frank the Tank in the legendary movie Old School. Fifteen straight wins fired the Cats to the top of the table with Hoog contributing 8 goals and 19 assists along the way.
In truth, the Cats success was more of a team effort with players stepping up in different games to keep their form on track. League top scorer Max Birbraer posted his best points tally since 2010 and 21 year old netminder Renny Marr stepped up to be the match winner he was signed to be back in 2017.
The Cats scored more than any team in the league with Edgars Bebris, Chris Jones and the ever reliable Coach chief contributors, while locals Floyd and Loris Taylor both hit double figures adding much needed scoring depth.
On defence the old stager Neil Liddiard proved his evergreen presence alongside Tyler Plews, Stephen Whitfield, Ben Nethersell and Sam Godfrey, while Sam Jones had a standout year with an incredible 15 goals from the blue line.
Just hours before the trophy lift, the EIHA announced that next season’s league formats will change and the Cats will take part in a new look second tier alongside 9 other clubs including Milton Keynes, Leeds and a number of ex-EPL sides. There will be a new title to challenge for, and its a decision the Cats hierarchy approve of wholeheartedly.
“I’m very happy with how things have turned out this year” continued Nell, whose side face Invicta Dynamos in the first round of the Play-Offs next weekend.
“After the announcement by the league on the format next year, its all very exciting and next year should be a tough challenge but it will be great for British hockey.”
The Cats become the first Swindon based senior team to win a league title since the Swindon Phoenix won the EPL in 2001, when Ken Forshee was Captain, Merv Priest lit the lamp, and Alan Armour was even fresher faced than he is today.
Swindon Wildcats – Britton Conference Champions 2018/19
2 Sam Jones, 11 Chris Jones, 12 Floyd Taylor, 13 Sam Bullas, 18 Loris Taylor, 19 Aaron Nell, 21 Luc Johnson, 23 Max Birbraer, 24 Tyler Plews, 26 Jan Kostal, 28 Stephen Whitfield, 30 Renny Marr NM, 33 Michael Crisp NM, 37 Toms Rutkis, 44 Neil Liddiard, 60 Jonas Hoog, 61 Sam Godfrey, 62 Tyler Perre, 71 Edgars Bebris, 72 Elliott Randall, 77 Ben Nethersell
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