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