Raiders enjoyed a win against Swindon in the Link centre as Adam Laishram and Ethan James were rested before the important play off games.
An early controversial goal for the Wildcats from Malisinski was the only scoring for the first period. IN the second period Jake Sylvester and Tjay Anderson score less than 2 minutes apart to take a 1-2 lead into the final period.
Elliott Dewey added to the recently wide spread Raiders goal scoring efforts as he took advantage of the Wildcats pulled netminder as they tried to capitalise on a late penalty on Callum Wells in a game that had only 3 penalties.
A final score of 1-3 will add some momentum to the double header vs Swindon during the 13th and 14th of April.
Raiders came out flying against Milton Keynes on Sunday outshooting their guests 19-6 in the first period. Jordan Hedley in the MK goal was in fine form and allowed just the one past him from the stick of Brandon Ayliffe.
The second saw a more energetic Lightning as they scored twice to enter the third period 1-2 up.
The third period saw another shot festival from Raiders as they again outshot MK 19-5 this time but found Hedley in play-off mode and with an empty net insurance goal at the end MK ran out 1-4 winners.
A good work out pre-play-off for the Raiders and they will be grateful to have survived the final league weekend with no injuries and will be glad to have rested Adam Laishram and Ethan James for the important weekends coming.
Elsewhere Telford took the expected two wins vs Bristol and Peterborough took an away win at Bees and a home win vs Swindon. They remain fixed in their league positions meaning that Telford join Milton Keynes, Swindon and Romford in the second of the play-off groups. Leeds, Hull, Peterborough and Bees make up the second group.
Raiders open their play-off finals campaign therefore with the visit of Telford on Saturday 6th April and head up to Shropshire on Sunday 7th.
