Photo (C) Jo Loat
FINAL SCORE : Bees IHC 2 Bison 1 (AOT) (1-1, 0-0, 0-0, 1-0)
By Nigel Simmonds
Sunday 4th September 2022
Refs : Mr Brooks & Mr Pickett
Lino’s : Mr Edwards & Mr Olczak
After Saturday evenings, close, but enthralling late victory, your GalxC Cooling Services sponsored Basingstoke Bison, made the short trip to Slough Ice Arena, to face the TSi World Bees IHC, in the return leg of the Challenge games, to open the 2022/23 hockey season.
Bison were missing returnee Adam Jones, who’d picked up a slight injury, during training, in the week.
But, the Bison bench was bolstered by Carl Graham, a guy who last played for Bison, over 9 years ago.
The Bees were missing Alan Lack, due to picking up, a Match Penalty, the previous evening.
The puck dropped for the start and it was pretty fast & furious the first couple of minutes, but no real quality scoring chances, were forthcoming. Bees however, would take the lead (7.28), when their main man, Dominick Gabaj (Mogg/Webb), picked up a loose puck, that Mettam had saved and with nifty stickwork, somehow squeezed the puck behind Mettam, agonizingly just over the line.
But, it wouldn’t be long before the Bison levelled the game (9.24). Ryan Sutton (Balaz/King) tapping home at the back post, after a neat backhand pass across the Bees goal crease, by new guy, Marcel Balaz.
A few seconds later and Bison would pick up the first penalty of the evening. Paul Petts, with a minor Tripping call (9.35), but the Bison would successfully kill the penalty and return to full strength.
Roman Cathcart & Ollie Hemmings- Maher, Bison’s two young prospects, really impressed again, with the latter, almost scoring his first senior goal. Unfortunately, he was thwarted by Adam Goss, in the Bees net. Considering they’re both 16, they certainly do not look out of place. They skate well, chase down every loose puck, finish their hits & they combine really well together on the ice, with slick little passes between themselves, which made the opportunity for Ollie’s chance.
There was a little flashpoint (18.22), when Mettam, who was out of his crease, to play a loose puck and Bees JJ Pitchley, made no attempt to swerve Mettam & collided with him. This bought Pitchley, the attention of the closest Bison guys, who jumped in, to stand up for their teammate. This result, was Pitchley picking up two minor penalties (Goalie Interference call & a Roughing call), whereas Carl Graham, just picked up a Roughing minor pen.
This bought out the Bison Powerplay unit. Into the final minute and Bees would pick up another penalty, when Gabaj was called for Hooking (19.52).
That was it for the 1st Period, with the scoreline reading 1-1.
Into the second period and Bison still had 23 secs, with a two man advantage. However, Bees managed to see off both penalties & returned to full strength.
At 31.59, Marcus Mitchell, who was guesting for the Bison, picked up a Tripping call. But, the Penalty Killers, did their job & successfully killed the penalty.
Bees Josh Martin, was awarded a Roughing call (33.53), which gave the Bison another powerplay chance. But like before, the Bees thwarted every Bison attack thrown at them & returned to full strength. That was pretty much it, which ended a scoreless period.
Into the third period now and you could tell the exertions of the first weekend back, after just over 4 months away, was beginning to show. The pace of the game slowed down, with players becoming tired.
Bison’s Brendan Baird, was called for Tripping (41.47) early on, but again the Bison PK unit killed the penalty.
Then a clash, involving Liam Morris & Bees, Will Stead (47.30) bought more attention. After it had all calmed down, both players were given a major Match Penalty, for Check to the Head .. and it was both their final action of the night, as they were sent to their respective locker rooms.
Both teams had a good chance to score… Firstly Gabaj, managed to skate in all alone on Mettam, but Alex stood firm & denied with a great save … then Bison’s Marcel Balaz, skated up the ice, but his shot was well saved by Goss.
The remaining time ran down on the clock & the buzzer sounded for the end of the period.
With the scores still tied, this meant another 5 mins of play.
This time it would be 3-on-3 sudden death Overtime action, which the already flagging players, probably could’ve done without.
Like most OT periods, both teams played a very cautious first couple of minutes, due to all that extra open ice, with less players on it, really trying not to make any mistakes, that would be taken advantage of by the opposing team, to end the game.
Bees tried to keep their top guy, Dominic Gabaj, out on the ice as much as possible, as he is their main threat. With just under 2 minutes left in the extra period, he struck.
He picked up the loose puck on the right wing, skated in hard, forcing his way out, in front of the Bison net. Mettam tried to make the save, but Gabaj (Unassisted) outwaited him & popped the puck into the goal, to give Bees the victory (63.13).
Match Statistics:
Bees MOM: Goss – Bison MOM: Mettam
Bees Stats : Gabaj 2+0, Mogg 0+1, Webb 0+1.
Nets : Goss : 63.13 (27/1)
Bison Stats : Sutton 1+0, Balaz 0+1, King 0+1.
Nets : Mettam : 63.13 (33/2)
SoG : Bees 33 Bison 27
PiMs : Bees 33 Bison 33
