FINAL SCORE : LIGHTNING 4 BISON 2 (2-1, 0-1, 2-0)
By Nigel Simmonds
Refs : Mr Brooks & Mr Truswell
Lino’s : Mr Earl & Mr Kowal
A few days after an absolute mauling in Swindon, your GalxC Cooling Services sponsored Basingstoke Bison, made the trip to Buckinghamshire, to take on a very strong MK Lightning side, who much like LadBaby, held the much sought after position, of the Christmas #1 spot..
The Bison, missing import Marcel Balaz & Brendan Baird (Suspended), were also missing were Paul Petts & Roman Cathcart, but Coach Tait called up Sam Hemmings-Maher (Oli’s older Brother) & Jack Peacock, from the Buffalo, to add to the line-up.
Daniel Crowe & Jordan Lawday, would both get the start in nets.
The Lightning would come out the faster and took an early lead, when Sam Talbot (Norris, Green) beat Jordan Lawday, timed at 2.39.
Bison would have a couple of opportunities, through Doughty & Milton, but neither really bothered Crowe in net. Tim Wallace had a chance for MK, but his shot was charged down by Gaël Lubwele and it deflected over the plexi.
From an icing by the Lightning, Hallam Wilson won the face off and the Bison moved the puck around. It came to Jay King on the point. He fired in the puck, but it missed the goal and came back into play off the back board, where Jack Peacock (King, Landsbergs) was stood all alone & he fired the puck into an open net, as he netted on his senior debut for the Bison (8.43). Many Congratulations Jack !
Just over the 10 minute mark and Bison would go the powerplay, when MK player/coach Tim Wallace picked up a Hooking call (10.18).
Mack Stewart & Halden Barnes-Garner tried to break out up ice, but they were thwarted by Gaël Lubwele, who broke up the play by stripping the puck off Barnes-Garner. Lightning would kill off the penalty successfully.
A minute later and MK’s potent forward line attack would net again. This time it was Jack Hopkins (Norris, Green) lighting the lamp (13.21).
Bison would deny MK import Deivids Sarkanis, as he tried to muscle his way towards the Bison net & Barnes-Garner saw his shot well blocked, by the Bison defence.
Just before the end of the first period, Liam Morris would get denied by Crowe, with a pad save.
That was all the action and MK would go into the locker room, with a slender one goal lead. Shots on Goal were, 11 on Lawday & 12 on Crowe.
A couple of minutes into the second period and there were a couple of penalties called. At 23.50, Mack Stewart for MK picked up a Tripping call, whilst Marcus Mitchell of the Bison, was given an Interference call.
Jay King had a shot on the PP, but it went wide and Liam Morris did really well to strip the puck away, from Liam Stewart, as he was trying to skate up ice. Soon after, both teams returned to full strength.
MK would get an opportunity with the man advantage, when Bison’s Edgars Landsbergs was called for Tripping (28.15). But, a minute into the powerplay, Jordan Lawday would scoot off the ice, on a delayed penalty… When the Lightning gained control of the puck, the whistle blew and Deivids Sarkanis was awarded a Cross-Checking call (29.15).
This would both teams a little 4-on-4 action. Bison would return to full strength, but almost instantly, they fell foul of the officials again.
Zack Milton picked up a Hooking call (30.22), putting both teams back to 4-on-4 for just under a minute.
The penalty on Sarkanis expired and MK went on a short powerplay, but Bison would tie the scores, when Lubwele (Wilson) scored short-handed (31.51), to the joy of all the travelling Bison fans.
MK would pick up another penalty, as Sam Talbot was called for Holding (34.48), but Bison couldn’t find the net, so Lightning killed the penalty.
Aidan Doughty almost put the visitors ahead, but Crowe blocked his shot really well. Then, Tim Wallace shot wide with a good chance for the Lightning.
That brought an end to the period and both teams were tied at two apiece, at the second period break.
Bison had the better of that period and it showed, in the shots on goal.
Lawday only faced 7, whilst Crowe stopped 13 shots.
Into the final period and it really was anyone’s game. I personally thought, this might be a bit of a one sided game, especially after the very poor result a few days earlier..
George Norcliffe had a good chance early doors, bit his shot across goal went wide. A couple of minutes later and MK would get the go ahead goal, when Liam Stewart (Wallace, Green) scored his obligatory marker against the Bison. He’s much like Raiders Aaron Connolly, who regularly scores against the Bison. You could put money on it, before the game starts.
James Griffin almost extended MK’s lead, when he broke through free on net, but his shot was well saved by the pads of Lawday. Then, Alex Sampford saw his shot well held by Crowe, before Jack Hopkins had two great chances. His first attempt was blocked by Lawday & the second, was well defended by Liqm Morris & Josh Kelly.
Just before the 50 minute mark, Bison would hit more penalty trouble, when Marcus Mitchell was penalised for Slashing (49.49). This gave the Lightning another good chance on the PP.
Sean Norris had a good scoring chance, but his shot went wide, but the puck was kept alive by MK. Then the pressure paid off, as Sarkanis (Wallace, Norris) netted at 51.11.
Then Lightning, were given a great opportunity to hammer home the victory, as Sam Talbot was given a Penalty Shot, by Mr Brooks.
Talbot skated in at speed and tried to outdeke Lawday, but Jordan made a fab save to deny Talbot.
With the Bison line-up, short of a few of their main players, there was always going to be a situation where tiredness may become a factor, late in the 3rd period. The Lightning would pile on more pressure, with Ross Green, Zaine McKenzie & Leigh Jamieson all peppering the Bison net.
Late on and Bison’s Hallam Wilson would earn himself an early shower.
He picked up a minor Slashing call, but then obviously, let frustrqtion get the better of him & had an outburst, telling Mr Brooks what he thought of the call… and promptly earned himself a 10 min Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty (57.52).
This would give the Lightning a late powerplay chance, but Bison would see off the penalty successfully.
That was all for the nights action and at the final buzzer, in front of a sell out crowd, the MK Lightning took the victory and returned to top spot but it would only be for 24hrs, as Leeds would go back above them.
The result was alot closer, than I’d imagine quite a few of the Bison fans were expecting, especially with the way MK have been playing recently. So, full credit to the guys, for giving it everything on the night.
Gaël Lubwele would be named MoM for the Bison, whilst Sam Talbot, would take the home award.
Match Stats:
Lightning Stats : Hopkins 1+0, Sarkanis 1+0, L Stewart 1+0, Talbot 1+0, Green 0+3, Norris 0+3, Wallace 0+2.
Nets : Crowe (34/2)
Bison Stats : Lubwele 1+0, Peacock 1+0, King 0+1, Landsbergs 0+1, Wilson 0+1.
Nets : Lawday (29/4)
PiMs : Lightning 8 Bison 20
SoG : Lightning 29 Bison 34
MoM Lightning : Sam Talbot
MoM Bison : Gaël Lubwele
The Herd are in action on 7th January when they welcome local rivals Bees IHC to the arena (Face Off – 6.30pm) .. Tickets are available to purchase from the following link: https://iceaccount.co.uk/basingstoke-bison/event-tickets/?event_id=6501&stage=1
