The Swindon Wildcats delivered a strong third period performance to secure a convincing victory over the Sheffield Steeldogs, pulling away late with two empty-net goals to put the game beyond doubt.
*First Period*
Swindon opened the scoring at 5:10 through Joshua Shaw, assisted by Owen Griffiths and Tyler Watkins.
Sheffield responded at 12:02 when Bailey Yates levelled the game, with assists from Joonas Larinmaa and Nathan Ripley. The period ended all square.
*Second Period*
The Wildcats regained the lead at 29:37 as Aaron Nell finished a passing move set up by Logan vande Meerakker and Ryan Wells.
Sheffield struck back on the power play at 32:19, with Cole Shudra converting after assists from CJ Garcia and Joonas Larinmaa.
Momentum swung again at 33:55 when Liam Steele scored for Sheffield, but Swindon had the final word of the period at 37:52, with Ryan Wells finding the net after assists from Caden Villegas and Logan vande Meerakker.
*Third Period*
Swindon stretched their advantage early in the third period at 42:04, as Reed Sayers scored with Dylan Lipsey and Glenn Billing providing the assists.
Penalties disrupted the flow midway through the period, but Swindon remained composed.
With Sheffield chasing the game late on, the Steeldogs pulled their goaltender and Swindon took full advantage.
At 57:37, Sam Godfrey scored into an empty net, assisted by Renny Marr.
After a Sheffield timeout and another empty-net situation, Tyler Watkins sealed the result at 59:23, assisted by Ryan Wells and Edgars Bebris.