Photo (C) Jo Loat
Final score: Basingstoke Bison 2-1 Telford Tigers : after Overtime (League)
By Matthew Church
Saturday 12th February 2022
Refs: Matthews and Poulton – Linos: Olczak and O’Neill
After a weekend on the road, the GalxC Cooling Services sponsored Basingstoke Bison returned to home ice for a tough test against the current league-leaders, Telford Tigers. Having already beaten tonight’s visitors here in Basingstoke this season, the Herd were keen to build on the momentum of a fine away victory in Leeds the previous weekend.
The opening stages began to the Tigers who looked to show why they appear strong favourites for the league title, with Scott McKenzie in particular causing problems for the Bison and seeing one of his efforts even hit the crossbar. Thankfully for the home fans, a few minutes later Tigers’ import forward Vladimir Luka was penalised for Hooking and the Herd set to work on the powerplay, but found netminder Brad Day in typically fine form and the game remained scoreless as the period passed the halfway point.
Another attack from the Tigers saw yet another shot rebound off the crossbar, this time requiring clarification from the goal judge that indeed the puck had not crossed the line, to the relief of the Bison faithful. A closely-fought period had failed to produce any goals but both teams would be encouraged by their creativity heading into the middle frame.
In contrast to the opening 20 minutes, it was the home side who began the middle period with a spring in their step as both George Norcliffe and import Alex Roberts went close to breaking the deadlock, but they were unable to solve the riddle of scoring past Bradley Day. A penalty on Liam Morris for Delay of the Game at 28:02 threatened to hand the visitors a chance to strike first but the Herd worked tirelessly to kill off the man advantage and shortly afterwards, they were finally rewarded with the game’s first goal.
Step forward, the man with the plan, Ashley Tait (assisted by Alex Roberts and Zack Milton). It is a line which produces almost every single game and tonight was no different, as hard work down low saw Roberts force Brad Day into a quick save but the puck fell invitingly to player/coach Ashley ‘Tait the Great’ Tait who swept home at 31:20 for a 1-0 lead.
(C) Jo Loat
It was clear at this stage that fans were in for a low-scoring, yet nail-biting contest and both sides continued to be evenly matched across every inch of the ice.
The Bison had more chances through Tait and Norcliffe but could not convert, meaning they remained just 1-0 ahead after 40 minutes. The third period would be one dominated by the Herd in terms of shots on goal, with the home side firing an impressive 20 shots on the Tigers’ net but unfortunately none of them would extend their fragile lead and just over halfway through the period, they paid the ultimate price.
A missed opportunity for the Bison saw the away side break 3-on-2 and a pass back to the trailing man in space saw Scott McKenzie (Luka, Hopkins) rip the puck home at 50:21, tying the contest at 1-1.
With the game in the balance, a late Hi-Sticks penalty on McKenzie granted the Herd with a final chance to snatch victory in regulation and they peppered Brad Day in net, doing absolutely everything but score. Which meant that after an enthralling 60 minutes, we were heading to Overtime!
Just as regulation time had provided constant drama, the period of 3-on-3 overtime was equally as nerve-wracking for both fans and players but thankfully, this had a happy ending if you support the team dressed in black and green. An attack from the Tigers saw Scott McKenzie tip an Andy McKinney shot agonisingly onto the post, but the puck stayed out and allowed the Bison to break up ice.
With a 3-on-2 situation, the Herd executed this to perfection as Adam Harding sent a pass from the right wing to Liam Morris (Harding, Norcliffe) directly in front of goal, who lasered the puck past Brad Day and into the top corner at 60:33 for a huge 2-1 win, sending the fans delirious and the home players pouring onto the ice in celebration. Credit to the visiting team for their part in a thrilling contest, as well as to the Telford fans for their constant support and noise, it was a brilliant evening of ice hockey!
Next up at home: a visit from the Leeds Knights on Sunday 20th February!
Match Stats:
Bison stats: Harding 0+1, Norcliffe 0+1, Milton 0+1, Morris 1+0, Roberts 0+1, Tait 1+0,
Netminder: Alex Mettam 26/1 (96.15%)
Tigers stats: Hopkins 0+1, Luka 0+1, McKenzie 1+0
Netminder: Brad Day 38/2 (94.74%)
PIM: Bison 6 – Tigers 6. SOG: Bison 38 – Tigers 26.
Bison MOM: Alex Mettam – Tigers MOM: Brad Day
