SWINDON Wildcats produced an impressive comeback to defeat local rivals Bristol Pitbulls 8-5 at the Link Centre on Saturday.

The Wildcats were able to recover from 4-2 down to secure a massive victory which not only gives Aaron Nell’s side an added boost ahead of the play-offs but also ended the Pitbulls’ chances of reaching the top eight.

It was the hosts who started the strongest, as Chris Jones’ impressive wrist shot at 1:49 gave Swindon an early lead, an advantage which was then doubled just a minute later through Tomasz Malasinski.

The Pitbulls halved the deficit at 10:29 through a composed finish from Caly Robertson, and Bristol went on to start the second period brightly too. Ed Bradley squeezed the puck over the line to make things all square at 20:30.

Bristol’s then extended their lead not long after through goals from Bradley (26:33) and Mason Lipsey (28:51).

But at 4-2 down, Swindon gained some traction and hauled themselves level through goals from Colby Tower (32:39) and Russ Cowley (39:05).

More drama ensued moments after to end an action-packed second period when Pitbulls’ Ben Solder neatly finished to make it 5-4.

In the third and final quarter, Malasinski was able to tap in for the hosts to make it all square once again at 44:20.

The Wildcats were able to complete their comeback in style with three quickfire strikes in the third – Reed Sayers, Tower, and Nell all bagged goals to seal an 8-4 victory and maximum points for Swindon.

The play-offs are looming for the Wildcats, with their double header against Sheffield Steeldogs taking place on April 7 and 8.

Welsh forward Jones revealed that the squad have full faith in achieving something special this post season.

“Sheffield are a great team, and we know how difficult it’s going to be, they’ve got some really top players.

“It’ll be a tough match-up, but I know that at our best we can beat anybody in this division and that’s the mentality we’ve got to go into the matches with.

“We know how dangerous we can be once we’re in the play-offs.”