Final score: Basingstoke Bison 1-3 Leeds Knights (Autumn Cup)
By Matthew Church
Saturday 2nd October 2021
Bison MOM: Adam Harding – Knights MOM: Sam Gospel
Bison stats: Harding 0+1, Sampford 0+1, Tait 1+0
Netminder: Alex Mettam 28/3 (89.29%)
Knights stats: Shudra 1+1, Whistle 1+1, Baldwin 0+1, Barnes 0+1, Brown 1+0, Zajac 0+1
Netminder: Sam Gospel 35/1 (97.14%)
PIM: Bison 8 – Knights 12. SOG: Bison 35 – Knights 28
Refs: Brooks and Jarvie – Linos: MacPhee and Olczak
Returning to home ice after a narrow overtime loss to Raiders IHC the previous weekend, the GalxC Cooling Services sponsored Basingstoke Bison took on the Leeds Knights for the first time this season, in Autumn Cup action. The Yorkshire-based team look very different from their inaugural season pre-Covid, with multiple young talents on 2-way contracts with EIHL teams and therefore, were certain to provide the Herd with a tough challenge.
The opening period was fast and feisty as both teams had scoring opportunities and weren’t afraid of finishing their checks, with the officials keen to keep the game flowing where possible. The game’s first penalty came at 7:27 when Jordan Fisher was called for Boarding and the Bison powerplay unit went close through a Doughty one-timer, but they were unable to crack the Knights’ defence. A few minutes later it was the Bison who would find themselves killing a penalty, with Paul Petts called for Holding, but they too would stand firm and keep the scores level. As the period progressed, the Knights’ talent began to show as they attacked the Herd with wave after wave of pressure, thankfully the defence kept shots to a minimum and the teams would enter the first break tied without score.
Bison forward Ryan Sutton would see a chance saved by Knights’ netminder
(c) Jo Loat
Gospel in the opening moments of the second period as both sides went in search of the opening goal and at 24:19, the home team were given another powerplay opportunity when Cole Shudra was assessed a Cross Checking penalty. Unfortunately the Bison were unable to convert with the man advantage and were made to pay shortly after, when at 27:04, Brandon Whistle (assisted by Cole Shudra, Sam Zajac) broke down the left wing and sent a quick shot past Alex Mettam in net for a 0-1 lead. Less than 2 minutes later it was double trouble for the Herd, as they fell 0-2 behind thanks to a splendid wrist shot by Kieran Brown (Barnes) at 28:57, as he sailed down the right wing unchallenged. Despite the scoreline, the home side were far from out of the contest, having the most of the chances during the middle frame and forcing Gospel into some fantastic saves.
Thankfully their reward came just after the halfway point, as player/coach Ashley Tait (Harding, Sampford) managed to tuck the puck home during a goalmouth scramble at 31:32, to the joy of the Bison faithful and it meant the Herd were back within a single goal. The Knights’ would see off an Interference call on Joe Coulter to keep their lead intact and remain 1-2 ahead heading into the second break.
Tightly matched as the contest entered the 3rd period, fans appeared cautiously optimistic as the Herd looked fully capable of restoring parity and producing another famous comeback, working hard to stop the Knights’ talented forward group whilst creating numerous chances around Gospel in the opposition net. It would be the away side, however, who would score the next goal of the game at 45:40 to the disappointment of the Bison crowd, as Cole Shudra (Baldwin, Whistle) raced down the left wing before firing in a shot short-side past Mettam, taking the Knights’ 1-3 ahead.
The rest of the period was punctuated by a handful of penalties on both teams but neither could take advantage on the powerplay, with the Bison frustrated by a solid Knights’ netminder and although they continued to create chances, were unable to come back into the game. As the clock wound down and the final buzzer sounded, it would be a loss for the home team but not for lack of trying, who acquitted themselves well and were much closer than some might believe.
Looking to rebound immediately, the Bison would travel the following night up to Sheffield to take on the Steeldogs, before coming back to home ice next Friday for a visit from the Swindon Wildcats.
