Image (C) Jo Loat
FINAL SCORE : PITBULLS 4 BISON 5
(0-1, 2-3, 2-1)
By Nigel Simmonds
Refs : Mr Brooks & Mr Thrower
Lino’s : Mr Edwards & Mr George
A little different this week, as it’s an away game on a Saturday for a change. Your GalxC Cooling Services sponsored Basingstoke Bison, made the trip along the M4 to Bristol, to take on the Pitbulls, in another big “4pt’r” game, as both teams are still competing for those last couple of play-off spots available.
Bison have pretty much had the Pitbulls number all season, only losing once in 4 games, so far.
The last game in Bristol was certainly a night to remember though.
The Pitbulls running a 4-0 lead and were cruising, until the Bison finally kicked into life & scored 7 unanswered goals, to complete the comebacks of all comebacks !!
The Bison scratches this game, were Carl Graham, Roman Cathcart, Oli Hemmings-Maher, Alex Sampford & Aidan Doughty.
Paul Petts did make a long awaited return to the team. But, he would only dress for the game & didn’t have any shifts.
Tyler Perre & Alex Mettam would both get the nod, to start between the pipes.
From the drop of the puck, there was a quick start by both teams, with both netties seeing rubber early doors.
The Pitbulls would pick up an early penalty, as Bayley Harewood would get called for High Sticks (3.27), as he accidently caught Liam Morris, whilst Mo was on a surge forward.
The Bison PP unit came out and pressed Perre hard into making a couple of saves. Then just as Harewood was about to rejoin the game, Zack Milton (Landsbergs, King) wristed an unstoppable shot, which beat Perre up high (5.27).
Pitbulls had a great chance to equalise when Caly Robertson intercepted a pass and was off up ice all alone. He tried to deke Mettsy, but Alex outwitted him and made a good save.
Bristol would pick up another penalty (13.09), this time it was a Cross-Checking call on Tamas Elias, as he dumped a Bison player, hard into the boards. Pitbulls would successfully kill the penalty.
The game, although only on the 1st period, was already proving it might be a bit of a powder keg, just waiting for some ignition.
That almost happened, when a hit by Liam Morris drew alot of attention from Pitbulls players. Joe Morris took the most exception and jumped Liam to fight him. They exchanged punches, but it was soon over, as Mo would get the take down.
After deliberation, the calls were, 2 min Boarding & 5 for Fighting for Liam Morris, whilst Joe Morris received a 2 min Instigator & also a 5 min Fighting penalty (17.35).
That was all the action for the first period. Bison taking a one goal lead into the locker room.
Into the second period and Pitbulls came out strong, but the Bison defence & Mettam kept out the early attempts.
However, Bristol would finally get on the board, when import Nik Coric (Harewood, Solder) was on hand to slam home the puck, after a great pad save by Mettam (27.33).
A couple of minutes later and Bison would pick up a penalty. Tom Banner picking up an Interference call (30.29). A minute later and there were another couple of penalties called. Jay Warren & Marcus Mitchell, both receiving Roughing calls (31.32). It was no surprise, as they’d both been having words, whenever they were on the ice together.
This gave the Pitbulls just under a minute on the powerplay, but this would be the turning point that Bison got a stranglehold on the game, with not one, but TWO shorthanded goals on the same penalty. Marcel Balaz would score, after a good set up pass by George Norcliffe & Neil Liddiard (31.43).
Then 40 secs later, the same two players combined, but with Norcliffe finishing neatly between Perre’s 5-hole (32.23). Josh Kelly also assisting.
Bison returned to full strength and that would just set them up, as they netted another goal. Edgars Landsbergs picked up the puck, skated in and beat Perre low to his glove hand (33.55). The travelling Bison fans were certainly in good voice & were thoroughly enjoying what they were watching.
Then, a bad knee on knee hit, left Bison’s Josh Kelly writhing in agony. Hallam Wilson would go looking for the culprit, but he was intercepted by Elias and words/face washes were exchanged. Really disappointed that there was no call for the hit on Josh, but both Wilson & Elias picked up Roughing calls (37.04).
Then, Neil Liddiard would be called for Holding (37.27), giving Pitbulls a good chance to get back in the game. They sent out their top PP line and within a minute, they scored. Bayley Harewood (Birbraer, Coric) giving the home fans something to cheer (38.16).
Both teams returned to full strength, in the last few seconds of the period and at the second interval, the visitors led with a 4-2 scoreline.
Into the 3rd period now and although Bison held a 2 goal advantage, you can’t rule out any team wanting to come out hard and throw everything at the opposition. Bristol certainly came out with purpose and after only a couple of minutes, they netted.
‘Man of Match’ Elliot Lewis (Smith, J Morris) sneaking in and beating Mettam neatly (42.53), getting the Bristol bench/fans on their feet.
It was now a time for Bison to just steady the ship and go about what they had achieved in the previous two periods. Certainly no need/time to panic right now.
Bison would be handed a powerplay chance, when Ben Solder was given a Tripping call (47.57). From the face off, won by Milton, the puck found itself on Gaël Lubwele’s stick and with a quick snap, the puck flew past Perre and rippled the twine… what a snipe that was…. WOW !
Goal timed at 48.03.
Pitbulls Reece Kelly, would be given an Interference call seconds later (48.22), but Pitbulls would kill the penalty and returned to full strength.
Into the last 10 mins of the game and Bison’s Brendan Baird would pick up a Slashing call (54.10), giving the home team a great chance to take advantage. But, like the Pitbulls, the Bison PK units stood firm and killed the penalty successfully.
As we entered the final two minutes of play, the Bristol bench pulled Tyler Perre for the extra attacker and it paid off straight away. Elliot Lewis (Harewood) scoring again, setting up a very tense last minute & a half.
The Pitbulls used their “Time Out” straight away too.
As soon as the puck was dropped and with Bristol in control of the puck, Perre was pulled again. Bison almost scored an empty netter, but George Norcliffe saw his shot, go agonisingly just wide.
With only seconds to go, Pitbulls did the worse thing and gave away an icing call. So, with a face off in their zone, Bristol pretty much knew their game was done. The puck dropped, the final few seconds ran down and at the buzzer, Bison had pulled off a great win and extended their points over Bristol in the table and kept themselves in 7th spot
George Norcliffe was named as MoM for the Bison & as mentioned before, Elliot Lewis picked up the beers for the home side.
Match Stats:
Pitbulls Stats : Lewis 2+0, Harewood 1+2, Coric 1+1, Birbraer 0+1, J Morris 0+1, Smith 0+1, Solder 0+1.
Nets : Perre (25/5)
Bison Stats : Balaz 1+1, Landsbergs 1+1, Milton 1+1, Norcliffe 1+1, Lubwele 1+0, Kelly 0+1, King 0+1, Liddiard 0+1.
Nets : Mettam (32/4)
PiMs : Pitbulls 19 Bison 17
SoG : Pitbulls 32 Bison 25
Bison return to action on Saturday (25th Feb) as they face Peterborough, in back to back games this coming weekend.
Firstly, the Phantoms visit the Bison Arena (Face Off – 6.30pm).
Good seats are still available to purchase your ticket please click the following link: https://iceaccount.co.uk/basingstoke-bison?Reference=Bison-Website
