Final score: Basingstoke Bison 1-5 Milton Keynes Lightning (League)
By Matthew Church
Sunday 1st January 2023
Refs: Pickett and Poulton – Linos: Cook and Prior
Welcome to 2023 everyone! The GalxC Cooling Services sponsored Basingstoke Bison were hoping to say hello to the new year by producing an upset against the high-flying Milton Keynes Lightning, as they arrived in town for a Sunday night clash.
Having lost 4-2 away against the same side two nights previously, the Herd were keen to gain revenge but disaster would strike less than 6 minutes into the contest as the visitors took the lead. Irrepressible as ever, Liam Stewart (assisted by Sarkanis) was left in space in front of goal after a battle on the left wing, where he calmly shot low through Alex Mettam in net at 5:39. Just after the halfway point of the opening frame, the same man would turn provider as the Lightning went 0-2 ahead at 10:10. A fine move past the d-man on the right wing would see a drop pass to Mackenzie Stewart (L.Stewart, Martelly) in close, who danced around Mettam and slotted home.
Constant pressure left the Bison fans wondering where any semblance of hope could be found, so it was to great relief that the man on a two-way contract with EIHL side Guildford Flames would provide some before the game went into its first break. A battle down low to the right of netminder Jordan Hedley saw Zac Milton (Lubwele) set up perfectly to accept the pass and rifle home at 16:19, bringing the home side back within a solitary goal.
That would, however, be as close as the Herd would get to their opponents during the evening as a powerplay goal, timed at 25:16, re-established a two-goal cushion. With Mettam blocked from seeing the puck, a blue-line bullet from defenceman Ed Knaggs (Sarkanis, Talbot) evaded the netminder and sailed into the net for a 1-3 scoreline. With the Lightning at times seemingly camped inside the Bison defensive zone, it felt inevitable that the visitors would strike again soon and at 34:39, they did just that. Using his trademark speed, Liam Stewart (Mackenzie Stewart) flew down the left wing and held off a defenceman before cutting towards goal and tucking the puck past Mettam, handing his side a 1-4 lead after 40 minutes.
Needing an almighty miracle to rescue a victory, the home side could not find a way through Jordan Hedley in net as he continued to showcase his Elite-level experience. The gulf in overall quality was visible to all and no matter how hard the Herd tried, their opponents had an answer to each attack. The icing on the cake for the MKL arrived at 53:27 when Sean Norris (Wallace, Talbot) sped down the right wing and around the defence before firing top shelf at the near post, to move the away side 1-5 in front. The final minutes ticked down to leave the Lightning victorious and the Herd with plenty of work to do ahead of a crucial January. It is hard to believe that 2013, the beginning of the Bison glory days in the EPL, was a full decade ago. However, fans must maintain belief that new days of similar joy will return soon.
Next up at home for the Herd is a game which needs little introduction. Saturday 7th January vs arch rivals, Slough-based Bees IHC. See you all there!
Tickets are selling fast for Saturdays game and we would advise fans to purchase their tickets online at the following link: https://iceaccount.co.uk/basingstoke-bison?Reference=Bison-Website
