TWO TOUGH road trips over the weekend saw the Swindon Wildcats maintain their hopes of a top-three finish with seven games left to play.

They got nothing out of the journey to second-placed Guildford Flames, losing 6-2 but 24 hours later they gained a fine 5-2 victory at the Peterborough Phantoms who are also chasing a play-off place.

Despite head coach Ryan Aldridge calling the first period against the Flames possibly the best his team had played all season, it ended with neither team managing to find the net.

Swindon took the lead during the second stanza through Czech import Tomas Kana.

The joy was short-lived as the Cats fell to pieces, leaving a surging Flames side to bury four goals prior to the period’s conclusion.

With several injury setbacks, it was always going to be tough for Swindon to launch a final-period comeback. Two goals in as many minutes sealed the points for the Flames despite a consolation goal from captain Jan Kostal.

It was a huge test of the Wildcats’ character on Sunday at Peterborough – one of the toughest rinks to play at in the country.

The Wiltshire side put a disastrous start behind them to take a 2-1 lead after just three minutes of play with Adam Harding and Jonas Hoog getting on the scoresheet.

It was an energetic first period of action with both goalies being asked questions throughout.

Peterborough managed to find an equaliser, but Swindon ensured they took a lead to the dressing room as Kostal bagged his second of the weekend.

The second frame was of different calibre to the first with no goals being scored. Aaron Nell was denied on a penalty shot by Latvian netminder Janis Auzins, who was in top form.

Although under pressure, Swindon managed to extend their lead as Canadian Kenton Smith was provided with a clear sight of the net to score a big goal for his team.

Peterborough went on all-out attack in the last few minutes and pulled their goalie for an extra skater on the ice.

They couldn’t find a way through Swindon’s strong defences and Nell ended the contest by scoring into an empty net to make it 5-2.

A much easier weekend is on the horizon as the Cats face just one game against bottom club Bracknell at home on Saturday.