Final score: Basingstoke Bison 3-4 Raiders IHC (Autumn Cup)
Saturday 25th September 2021
Bison MOM: George Norcliffe – Raiders MOM: Thomas Relf
Bison stats: Baird 1+1, Roberts 1+1, Doughty 0+1, Milton 1+0
Netminder: Alex Mettam 38/4 (89.47%)
Raiders stats: Piatak 0+3, Scott 0+3, Connolly 2+0, Huggett 1+0, Relf 0+1, Sylvester 1+0
Netminder: Bradley Windebank 39/3 (92.31%)
PIM: Bison 6 – Raiders 4. SOG: Bison 39 – Raiders 38.
Refs: Matthews and Poulton – Linos: Lack and Lalonde
For the second time in a fortnight, the GalxC Cooling Services sponsored Basingstoke Bison welcomed the Raiders IHC down from Romford, this time with points on the line as the Herd looked to maintain their unbeaten start in this year’s Autumn Cup. With ice issues postponing the Bison’s game away in Milton Keynes the following night, this made it a single-game weekend for the Hampshire outfit and therefore, they came out of the starting blocks with plenty of bounce and energy, creating two chances amongst goal-mouth scrambles but were unable to open the scoring. Disaster would strike shortly afterwards as the visitors took advantage of a Roughing penalty on Adam Jones, with Jake Sylvester (Dan Scott, Erik Piatak) ripping a slap shot past Mettam in net at 7:58 of the first period to give the visitors an early lead. Despair would quickly turn to delight for the home fans less than a minute later, however, when import Alex Roberts (Brendan Baird) sent a stunning wrist shot from the right wing past Bradley Windebank in net, tying the scores at 1-1 with the goal timed at 8:54. Games against the Raiders are typically open, thrilling games and this one was no different as the away side refused to back down and once again took the lead at 10:27, young prospect Tommy Huggett caught the Bison defence napping and snuck towards the net alone before sending the puck past Mettam for a 2-1 advantage.
As the opening period entered its final few minutes, the home side worked tirelessly to even the scoreboard at 2-2 but unfortunately, would find their deficit increased by a very unlucky bounce at 17:10. Defenceman Dan Scott fired the puck across the goal crease from the right wing and former Bison captain Aaron Connolly (Scott) was in the perfect place to see the puck deflect off his leg and trickle across the goal line, leaving the Herd 1-3 down entering the first intermission. Determined to make amends quickly, the Bison began the second period by immediately gaining possession in the offensive zone and gained their reward at 20:38. A loose puck towards the left circle fell to the ever-active defenceman Brendan Baird, who stepped in and blasted the puck into the net, to the surprise of the Raiders but to the joy of the home side, bringing them back within one goal.
At 24:59 the Bison were handed a golden opportunity on the powerplay as Raiders forward J.J Pitchley was handed a Slashing penalty and to the delight of all in attendance, minus the visiting players and supporters, less than one minute later the Herd would convert. Neat work down low found Zack Milton (Roberts, Doughty) alone between the circles and he had time to fire beautifully past Windebank at 25:49, levelling the scores at 3-3. Although both sides pressed hard and had chances to gain a lead after 40 minutes, the middle frame would see no further goals as the Bison bravely fought off a late Raiders powerplay.
A third period full of nerves and near-misses was to ensue, as Brandon Ayliffe used his prolific speed to cause issues for the Herd, but in reply, crowd favourite George Norcliffe went close multiple times on both wings, looking for the go-ahead goal. Groans from the home crowd would continue as the frame went on, both Doughty and Sampford having fine chances snubbed by an inspired Raiders netminder, meaning that with no further goals, the game would go to overtime for the first time this season. The extra period provides no shortage of drama as three-on-three hockey creates masses of space and countless breakaways, both sides going close with Bison forward Alex Roberts narrowly missing the net. Heartbreak would sadly strike at 64:40 for the Herd and of course, it had to be that man Aaron Connolly (Scott, Piatak), who would deliver the fatal blow as he somehow found himself in behind a tired Bison defence, before using nifty hands to slide the puck past Mettam and give his team a 4-3 victory. Whilst disappointed to lose, the Bison picked up a vital point towards their cup tally which could make all the difference in a few weeks time!
Next up for the Herd is a home game against the newly-named Leeds Knights, before making the trip to Sheffield the following day.
