FORWARD Aaron Nell says he’s a bundle of excitement now that he’s finally linked back up with his Swindon Wildcats teammates.

Cats got back on the ice on Wednesday night as they recorded a 6-1 exhibition match victory over Milton Keynes Lightning at the Link Centre.

Nell, who returned to his hometown club from the Sheffield Steelers midway through last season, is singing from the same hymn sheet as head coach Ryan Aldridge as he flags up the importance of a positive start to the season and doesn’t see any reason why Cats can’t begin their latest English Premier League campaign on the front foot.

“You’re at the end of the season and you want a little rest but once August comes, you’re really excited to get back,” said the 24-year-old.

“We’ve got a great group of guys here and we were really excited to see each other – we’re like kids.

“You’re just really excited to see each other again and you’re like ‘have you had a good summer?’ and all that. We’re all happy and happy to be there.

“You’re with each other all the time and when it stops, it’s nice to chill out for a few weeks but when it gets to June or July, you’re ready to go again.

“We always have the January to April really good but we want to start in September this year.

“We’ve always started a bit slowly – I don’t know why.

“This year, we want to kick on from the start and play good, entertaining hockey where the fans enjoy their night out and everyone goes home happy.

“There are going to be bedding-in periods for every team but we’ve just got to make sure we work hard, have a good start, and we’ll be fine.

“The infrastructure of the club’s getting bigger and bigger and we’re getting more organised and more professional. And hopefully that can translate on to the ice.”

Nell was on target as Aldridge’s men swept aside Milton Keynes on Wednesday, converting a powerplay chance after Henri Sandvik had opened the scoring.

The Lightning reduced the deficit as Adam Carr netted from a five on four chance just before half-time but after weathering the storm in the second period, Sandvik, two strikes from Jan Kostal and a goal from new signing Tomasz Malasinksi wrapped up the win.

Swindon’s exhibition victory came at a cost however, with Floyd Taylor now requiring a concussion test after being slammed against the boards.

The Wildcats take on Bracknell in back-to-back Challenge matches this weekend, starting at home tomorrow (6pm), followed by away on Sunday (6pm).