Moore success is coming our way!

As another weekend of hockey closes in you can feel the excitement rising. Last weekend saw the Swindon Wildcats take the maximum 4 points available to the bank. And what a weekend it was! The Cats scored 13 goals, had 64 shots on goal and 46 penalty minutes between them.

We caught up with Wildcats captain Shane Moore after Saturdays win against Peterborough (7 - 1) to speak about the current winning streak, his experience as captain so far and fighting Eric Piatak!

S.W.S.C: Another fantastic win for the Wildcats tonight. What is the atmosphere like in the locker room, on the bench?

Shane: Really, really good. I think we've turned the corner now. Everyone is positive. We're all reading from the same hymn sheet. It's a great feeling in the locker room and it's great to be a part of it. Everyone's really positive and I think we're playing great as a team right now. Everything's going well!

S.W.S.C: So what is it that has clicked for you guys now?

Shane: I think the big thing that happened really was Aldy (Ryan Aldridge) making smart changes. Bringing in Aaron Nell was a no-brainer when he became available and he's been a massive signing for us. But also, with Richardson coming in, he's a versatile player. Playing both D and forward gives us so many options. It means we can still play six D all night and that keeps the D fresh. And we've got three lines of forwards if not more so everyone's fresh coming in. We've got a lot of talent back there.

S.W.S.C: And then for you as captain. We are a few months in now, just how is it going for you? How are you finding the pressure?

Shane: It's been interesting for me, you know. I was captain when I was a junior but I haven't been captain in my whole senior career, and I've played senior hockey since I was fourteen! It's been a bit of an adaptation but I've been really been pleased with how the boys have responded to me. We have a bit of banter, but everyone's been playing well and it's a credit to the boys. They are playing well for me and playing well for the coach.

S.W.S.C: So, is there any tactic which you have deployed yourself to influence the change?

Shane: You know, I play my game nice and steady. I speak with Aldy occasionally, but I leave most of the changes up to him. My real strengths lie in being on the bench and on the ice motivating the guys, keeping them going and just controlling the D-Zone for them.

S.W.S.C: We had a thrilling end to tonight's game (Fight with Peterborough's Piatak). What sparked it off?

Shane: I hit the guy in the corner and he turned around and elbowed me in the face so I looked at him, he threw down his gloves and grabbed on to my shoulder pads. The first punch I caught him with split his nose right open and that pretty much ended the fight to be honest. I was a bit disappointed by the way he reacted at the end after he lost the fight. I caught him with a couple of good ones and he was heavily bleeding but to lean over myself and the linesman and bleed all over us was very disrespectful in my opinion so I was very disappointed with that. But yeah, a very good way to finish the game! Especially with a sell-out crowd. The game had everything we could ask for. Good goals, good hits and a fight to finish!

S.W.S.C: So, looking forward. Swindon still have some games in hand which we will look to win. What's the game plan?

Shane: The game plan should be the same every night right now. You know, we're playing hard. I think teams should adapt to us rather than us adapting to them right now. You look at teams like Guildford which we have beaten recently. We played our game and that was successful for us. We played hard and competitive and they had to adapt to us. That's how we've got to keep going because at the end of the day, those teams can't adapt to us and can't skate with us right now.

S.W.S.C: So is this the Swindon we can expect to see every night now?

Shane: Yeah, I think this is the Swindon you will see for the next few weeks and definitely going into Play-offs as well. Keep playing hockey like that and it will be successful for us. That's the way Aldy wanted to play at the start of the season, aggressive, and I don't think we did play it that way at the beginning of the season but with the changes, we've got enough bodies. We can play with energy, hard and aggressive and that's working for us right now.

S.W.S.C: So if the fans keep coming and making noise they will be entertained?

Shane: The fans are brilliant right now! To have those guys with us, it's a brilliant feeling. We're getting sell-out crowds at the moment at home and that's great. The away support is brilliant as well! Keep on coming!

****

Next home game: Saturday 1st February versus Guildford Flames, Face-off 5.45

See you there!

Ryan Aldridge takes the pressure off

The fortunes of the Swindon Wildcats look to be changing. Last Sunday they came away from a home game against the Guildford Flames with a 5-2 victory under their belt. Losing away Saturday to Milton Keynes was just a minor blip following on from the awesome 6 point week which preceded it. There has been a noticeable shift in momentum on the ice. So, what has changed? We spoke with coach Ryan Aldridge after the game on Sunday to ask him that very question and find out what he thinks the next few months have in store.

S.W.S.C: Tonight's result (Swindon 5 - 2 Guildford) was fantastic for the Cats.

Ryan: Yeah, I think it was a 5-1 hockey game as well. We just got a little sloppy in the final minutes. Yeah, a great win. Especially to beat Guildford. Any night that's great but being a few players short, it's a great result for us!

S.W.S.C: Just a couple of weeks ago we were suffering from some bitter defeats. You said in the press that you sat down and had a meeting with Steve Nell and conversations with the boys. So what was said to turn around the results.

Ryan: I think it was a point in the season when it was do or die for us. So with regards to making some changes, I just told the boys they had to buck their ideas up and that's what they have done.

S.W.S.C: So have you seen a change in the atmosphere in the changing room and on the bench as well?

Ryan: I think so. We're just playing a little bit harder now. Obviously having Jan and Aaron in the line -up now is great because now we have two solid lines and two or three big players that other teams need to keep their eye on. It frees the other guys up. It's good.

S.W.S.C: So having the goals on the board is really making a difference then...

Ryan: Yeah, yeah, absolutely! With Aaron in the line-up we've always got a chance to score, especially with him and Jonas playing together. And then, now with the partnership of Jan and Henri it's even better!. You know we've got two lines that can score any night.

S.W.S.C: So, what can you see for us in the next few weeks?

Ryan: We've got to start winning those games in hand and start climbing up the table again a bit. Start hunting Milton Keynes down as well. Last night I think we were playing a little flat so yeah, we'll see.

S.W.S.C: Manchester are still looking very strong. Are they still the team to beat?

Ryan: I think those top teams are away from us now so they've kinda gone in a pack of their own. Manchester are a solid hockey team, there's no doubt about that. I like the way they play. Every team goes through a little blip in the season. They'll come in to theirs soon.

S.W.S.C: So we've moved up another place tonight. Looking at the team now where do you see them finish this season?

Ryan: We'll see. You know, for the first time in my life I'm going to keep my mouth shut, and take it game by game. I think we put too much pressure on our boys, when I start saying where we should be and what we should be doing... I'm going to leave the pressure off them, take it game by game and see where we end up.

S.W.S.C: And what do you want from the fans?

Ryan: Just keep doing what they're doing. Tonight was a Sunday night and I think it was a pretty good game, for a Sunday. But you know, the last two Saturday nights have been incredible and obviously that helps the boys raise their game as well when the buildings full.

***

Next fixture: Saturday 25th January vs. Peterborough Phantoms. Face-off 5.45. See you there!

Team Talk - with Lee Richardson

Only a few weeks ago the Link Centre welcomed back Lee Richardson to the team. Lee spent the first half of the season with the Slough Jets. Slough have seen many players come and go so far this season. Earlier In October Ryan Watt ended a very brief spell with the Jets and also found his way to Swindon. We sat down with Lee to talk about his decision to return, how he is settling back in and what he sees for Swindon over the coming months.

S.W.S.C: We would like to take this opportunity to officially welcome you back on behalf go the fans.

Lee: Thank you for having me back! It's nice to be back really. It was hard coming in here as an away player. Thank you for the warm welcome back.

S.W.S.C: Can you tell us a little bit about your decision to return to Swindon?

Lee: Things weren't going quite to plan in Slough. There was a lot of uncertainty. Being an older guy, for me it was do I travel 2000 miles a month to be uncertain on a team or to come home where I know everything inside out and, they know what they are getting from me and I know what I am getting from them.

S.W.S.C: So what was it like walking back into the changing  room?

Lee: It was fine to be honest. There was only a couple of the guys that I didn't really know. They accommodated me really well. Most of the British guys I know and have played against many times over the years.

S.W.S.C: So you are playing in defence at the moment. Is that long or short term?

Lee: Not too sure to be honest. Obviously before Christmas there were so many injuries, it was all hands on deck. At the moment we have 12 forwards and 6 D. So for the moment I will play D and  if anything happens I will move up forward but at the moment I'm happy to be here and playing really.

S.W.S.C: Is there an expectation that you will transition between the two?

Lee: When I came in, obviously the boys were playing well. So the likes of Floydy (Floyd Taylor) and with the surprise of Aaron (Nell) coming back in, he said 'No, you're playing on D to start with'. And that's fine by me. As long as I can be a part of the team and helping.

S.W.S.C: So is that something you find difficult, when you are playing out there with guys you used to be on a forward line with?

Lee: Em no, it's okay. I was always a bit more defencive as a forward anyway. For me it's not the biggest of issues. It's just a matter of improving every game personally and helping the team.

S.W.S.C: So is there any expectation on the table for you to bring any any points, in terms of goals.

Lee: No, we haven't really spoke about that. We have Aaron and some guys who are going to score so for us to win it is more important then for us to take care of our end and work as a unit rather than everyone trying to score.

S.W.S.C The defence are receiving a lot of stick in the press. Is the same being said in the changing room?

Lee: No, because we all know and are honest. When you win a game it's usually going to be down to team defence, not just those two guys. You're always going to have 3 on 2 if that's the case.

S.W.S.C: The team are still trying to find a degree of consistency...

Lee: It's going to be like that. The league is so competitive this year. You've got to ride it out sometimes and thankfully we've still got a few games up ahead so as long as it is like that there is no panic. It doesn't always go perfect but if you take a look at the last few games. It's there but it's just a matter of coming together as a team. Play both ways and we'll be fine.

S.W.S.C: Last season Bracknell were considered your nemesis. You were finding it difficult to get the win. It's not proven that way with them this season. So who would you consider your nemesis now?

Lee: For me I think it is definitely Manchester. A very very tough team to play. Especially in their own rink. Whereas last year it was Jonas (Hoog)/(Aaron) Nell scoring all the goals this year we should have 2 or 3 good scoring lines. That's hopefully where we'll win.

S.W.S.C: So Lee, what can we expect to see from Swindon over the next months?

Lee: We are a team that really raises our game for the big games. Like on Saturday, if we need to raise it, we raise it!

Supporters Player of the Month December...Jan Kostal

Since making his debut late November, Czech forward Jan Kostal has been tearing up the ice both home and away and making an impression across the league. Jan has racked up 16 goals and 9 assists in just 13 games. You, the fans have proclaimed your appreciation for his consistent dedication and skilled play by voting for him as your Player of the Month for December.

S.W.S.C member Ryan Keepence (front and centre) brought his whole family on the ice to present the trophy! Thanks Ryan. Great Job!

After the trophy was presented we caught up with Jan to find out a bit more about how he is settling in, scoring hat-tricks and winning the Supporters Player of the Month award.

Jan was very humbled to receive the award and sang the praises of his team mates and the part they play on the ice. He told us he was very lucky to be playing in Swindon as he has gelled so well with the team. 

'I have been very lucky when I shoot because I receive such good passes from the boys. In the beginning I was playing with Jonas (Hoog). Now I am playing on the second line with Henri (Sandvik). They are both typically the same. They make very good passes to score the goals. They are very good in corners.'

Jan has been making a big impression across the league, consistently featuring on the top ten goal scorers by game average. Every week we see teams putting more pressure on him, trying their best to alleviate the threat. Jan has not allowed himself to be intimidated by them. Instead he goes from strength to strength scoring hat-tricks and keeping his cool. So what's his secret?

'It's simple, you must go to the net. If you don't go to the net you won't score. If you don't score you put no pressure on the other team. Go to the net and play hard hockey in front of the net. It's good when the D are shooting and the goalie can't see anything!'

Jan has proven himself to be a valuable asset to a Swindon squad fighting their way to the play offs. He has won the respect of his team mates and the fans. Congratulations again to Jan, and thank you for voting for him your Player of the Month for December.

The People's Choice - Aku Pekkarinen

Since he first stepped out on the ice in September, D-man Aku Pekkarinen has been winning the hearts of many fans. He has demonstrated a strong work ethic and drive to defend and work with his team through adversity and victory alike.  He was rewarded in December by you the fans when you chose to vote for him as your Player of the Month for November.

We sat down with him not long after he received his trophy to talk about winning the award and the importance of the fans for him and the team.

S.W.S.C: Congratulations on being voted as the Supporters Player of the Month.

Aku: I would like to say thanks to the fans. It's really nice to have fans, both at home games and away games. I respect that so many fans are coming to the away games too. It's a great feeling to have your own group cheering you. And the noise! I have a lot of time for these fans.

S.W.S.C: So, what do you think it is you did that made people vote for you?

Aku: I don't know. I just try to play my own game and help the team as much as possible. I just try to work hard and give everything, every night.

S.W.S.C: Do you think it is fair to say that the defence have had to work a bit harder this month?

Aku: Yeah, of course. We haven't won much games so that is always a lot of pressure. You just have to deal with the pressure and keep playing as hard as you can.

SWSC: What is the atmosphere like in the changing rooms at the moment? How are the team feeling?

Aku; It's a good atmosphere. Everyone is working hard and trying to get better. We've been really unlucky with some games and there are some injuries and stuff so, I think we are sometimes being pushed. That just makes us stronger for the rest of the year.

SWSC: So what would you say to the fans? Why do they need to stay behind and keep supporting the Wildcats?

Aku: It is so important to have our fans support in every game. It keeps you going.

****

The team have seen a lot of change of late, with change being the name of the game in the EPL this season. Kostal and Nell have brought back a more energetic style of play which with it pushes everyone to work harder. Speaking with Aku about the changes he said, 'You have to work to earn your place. The changes lately have been a little wake up call for the guys but, we have all played a long time and we know how it goes.'

'It doesn't matter who wins awards, it is about 20 guys working hard out there.'

This coming weekend see the Cats travel to Manchester to take on the Manchester Phoenix. The Phoenix have been sitting in the top three portion of the table so far this season and have proven a tough team for the Wildcats so far.  With this recent change has also come a distinct hike in confidence and positivity.

According to Aku, 'Guildford and Manchester are both good teams and it's nice to think we can compete with those.'

We wish the boys the best of luck on Sunday!