Wildcats made a disastrous start against Wightlink Raiders getting caught cold three times in the opening five minutes.

The first came on only 44 seconds when former Cats player Andrew Shurmer powered home a shot from the point that flew past netminder Nathan Craze, who had a nightmare first period.

Raiders went two up at 3.44 as the Wildcats defence was caught all at sea and Jason Coles skated in to crack home Gareth Endicott's cross.

And it got worse 47 seconds later when import Robert Franc struck home a third as the puck whistled over Craze's left shoulder into the back of the net.

Coach Peter Russell immediately called a time out and Swindon regrouped, immediately looking a slightly better outfit with John Wheaton hitting the post at 5.26.

Tomas Janak was injured in a big clash with Raiders' Coles at 10.22 but then he recovered to come back out on the ice and give Swindon hope at 15.59 smashing home a shot from Wheaton's pass on a delayed penalty.

SECOND PERIOD REPORT TO FOLLOW HERE...