Lightning brushed Wildcats' challenge aside with a convincing 6-1 victory on Saturday. But they were not so fortunate on Sunday where, despite putting up a tremendous battle at the Link Centre, they lost 2-1 in overtime.

Toni Alasaarela struck twice early on in Saturday's encounter to settle the home side and they began to play with the kind of confidence they displayed in the opening games of the season.

Ales Parez was the provider on both occasions as he passed for Alasaarela to dummy netminder Nathan Craze before scoring on 5mins 25secs. The same player then took Parez' pass 42 seconds later and with Craze caught out of position he had the easiest of chances to fire in.

Wildcats' hopes were effectively ended when Matt Towalski drew the attentions of Craze only for him to offload the puck to Grant McPherson to shoot first time into the goal at 15mins 22secs.

Lightning continued to dominate the opening minutes of the second session and it was against the run of play when they were able to take advantage of a powerplay following an interference call on Adam Carr.

Joel Petkoff was fed by Robin Davison to beat Barry Hollyhead on 33mins.

However Lightning quickly restored the three goal gap when Nick Poole set up Gary Clarke for the hosts' fourth goal at 36mins 37secs.

A fine move up the left by the improving McPherson saw him supply Towalski to blast past Craze on 52mins 35secs.

Wildcats' Ciaran Long was penalised for tripping with just under three minutes remaining and that gave Lightning the chance to add their sixth when Paraz found Poole to fire high into the net on 57mins 44secs.

The following night in Swindon Petkoff struck a sudden death overtime winner to wreck Lightning's bid for a four point weekend – the side picking up a point for the post regulation time loss.

An improved Wildcats side got off to a great start with Wayne Fiddes feeding Matty Davies out on the right. He moved inside to score from a narrow angle past Hollyhead at 2mins 2secs.

Lightning were on fire though with Adam Radmall, Clarke and Towalski all testing Craze before a powerplay opportunity allowed Poole to tie the game with a long range effort at 6mins 43secs.

From then on Lightning continued to pepper Craze with shots but the home goalie was in inspired form – turning away all but one of 48 shots.

Swindon's shot rate by comparison was just 24 with Petkoff getting the crucial goal just 35 seconds from the end of overtime.

Lightning are now second in their group with four points - the same as Bracknell Bees and Swindon Wildcats. They meet Bracknell twice in the final group games on Saturday and Sunday.