SWINDON Wildcats’ head coach Aaron Nell says his team must start well in their upcoming three-game weekend or potentially face a long weekend of difficult results.
The Bespoke Guardians Wildcats are preparing to face The Bees on Friday night in Slough before taking on Sheffield Steeldogs in a double-header across Saturday and Sunday.
Nell is targeting at least four points from a possible six across the series of matches as the Wildcats look to reel in those teams above them.
But with tired legs and minds likely to be a factor for Swindon come Sunday’s trip to Yorkshire, Nell knows a winning start is crucial if his side is to achieve their benchmark points tally.
He said: “Three games on three nights in a row is always tough. We had one of these before Christmas, and we actually did things backwards.
“Normally, you start well and die off as the weekend goes on. But last time we had our best game on the Sunday.
“We need to start the weekend right and the build on it as we go through. The game you’re most likely to win is the first one, and it’s about getting that first win.
“You’re always going to target four out of six points and you’ll always be happy with that, but you want to get the points in early so that it eases the pressure on the last game.
“We need to be ready for the Bees on Friday night and put in a big performance, first and foremost.”
Swindon’s opening opponents have struggled this season so far and currently sit second bottom of the National Ice Hockey League.
But The Bees did claim three points from four last weekend after beating Basingstoke Bison 3-2 away prior to losing 5-4 in overtime against the Steeldogs at home the following night.
Meanwhile, Sheffield are one place but 10 points above Swindon in the standings with a further game in hand.
Looking ahead to the Wildcats’ next two opponents, Nell said: “Sheffield are the team above us, and they’ve been a really good team for a while now.
“They’ve had injuries, but they’ve just kept on going. They’ve got a really good goalie and some really good players.
“It will be a tough weekend with the Bees involved too. They’re a desperate team who got three big points last week, but they’re going to see us as a team that they can turn over, so we need to be ready.”
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