Swindon Wildcats signed off their pre-season in style as they got a double victory over local rivals Bristol Pitbulls this weekend.
Saturday's thrilling game at the Link Centre was decided on penalty shots after it ended 4-4 in regulation.
Jake Bricknell carried on his goalscoring form after he netted four goals this weekend including a hattrick on Saturday night.
The Wildcats started on the front foot applying some early pressure to Bristol, but Nappier stood strong in the net denying Tomasz Malasinski and Aaron Nell. The Bristol netminder had a busy first period stopping all 20 shots fired at him.
After some good defensive efforts from Bristol, they were rewarded with the first goal as Jacob White-Sey fired low past Renny Marr.
The Cats came out strong in the second period and after a lovely stretch pass from Ryan Wells to Bricknell, the in-form Canadian fired it past Nappier but the Pitbulls then broke away three-on-two with Garry Simpson first timing the puck into the net to get their lead back.
Bricknell went through one-on-one and slotted it through Nappier’s legs to level it but again Bristol struck back as Bayley Harewood squeezed a backhand shot through Marr.
The Wildcats got another equaliser as Malasinski played a lovely pass for returning captain Sam Bullas to tap it home.
But just as they had done all game, the Pitbulls took the lead again, this time Ewan Hill following in a rebound.
With time ticking down the Wildcats threw everyone at the Pitbulls net, and Bricknell snapped a shot into the top corner to send the game to overtime.
Nobody could find the winner in the extra period, sending the match to penalty shots; Renny Marr saved all five and Wells kept his nerve to give the Wildcats the win.
Sunday was a much more clinical performance from the Wildcats with Glenn Billing scoring a hattrick in an 8-1 mauling.
The Wildcats started strong with a powerplay goal. Ed Bradley's deflected shot went in, Aaron Nell then received the puck on the break and sniped it top corner to double the lead.
The Pitbulls pulled one back but two minutes later, Billing scored his first goal after receiving a perfect saucer pass from Bricknell before doubling down as he raced away one-on-one and snuck it five-hole before Bricknell turned home late in the first half.
After the break Nell got his second, Billing completed his hat-trick, and Malasinski completed the rout.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here