FINAL SCORE : KNIGHTS 6 BISON 2 (2-1, 3-1, 1-0)
By Nigel Simmonds
Refs : Mr Brown & Mr Wells
Lino’s : Mr Staniforth & Ms Stanley
After Saturday evenings thoroughly enjoyable close run match, which sadly ended in defeat. Your GalxC Cooling Services sponsored Basingstoke Bison, made the long old trip up north to Yorkshire, to play the return leg, of the double header, against the newly crowned League Champions, the Leeds Knights.
Scratches for the Bison were, Carl Graham, Roman Cathcart, Oli Hemmings-Maher, Alex Sampford & Aidan Doughty.
Harrison Walker & Alex Mettam both getting the nod, to start between the pipes.
On the evening that the Leeds Knights, would receive the Championship Trophy for winning the NIHL League, in front of their own fans, the Bison knew they would probably be in for a long night.
Both teams played some good hockey for the first 10mins of the game, but it would be the Knights that would get the first goal of the game. The impressive Jake Witowski (Barnes, Perre) ripped a wrist shot top shelf, that would send Alex Mettam’s water bottle, a couple of feet in the air (12.11), on hitting the net.
A few seconds later and Leeds would get the first penalty of the night, as Carter Hamill picked up a Slashing call on the play (12.37).
From the resulting powerplay, the visitors would leve the scores, when Zack Milton (Balaz, Baird) scored a beauty, that gave Harrison Walker no chance in net (13.57).
A minute later and the Bison returned to the powerplay, as Adam Barnes was penalised for Tripping (14.56). This time though, the Knights would successfully kill the penalty and return to full strength.
Knights Matt Haywood (Brown) would restore the home sides lead, when he scored, whilst down on one knee, beating Mettam from close range (17.33).
At the first period break, the home side would go in, with a slender one goal lead. Shots on Goal were, 13 on Walker & 10 on Mettam.
Into the 2nd period and even before some of the fans had got back to their seats, Leeds captain Kieran Brown had added another goal, with a great finish, past Mettam (20.35). Zach Brooks with only assist.
Knights forward Mac Howlett, would pick up a High-Sticks penalty (21.55), that would give the visitors another chance on the PP. But, the home sides PK units would again, kill the penalty successfully.
Promising youngster Finley Bradon (Barnes), would add another goal (his 3rd goal in 2 nights), giving the home side a nice 3 goal lead (24.33). This was his first goal in front of the home fans, at ‘The Castle’. I’m pretty sure, he’ll will add a few more goals, whether it be this season, or next. He’s definately, one to watch !
Liam Morris, would pick up the first penalty of the evening for the Bison, when he was called for Slashing (27.05).
The Knights powerplay unit came out and with a very fortuitous bounce, they scored again. Cole Shudra (Witowski, Haywood) getting the credit, but to be fair, he knew very little about it, as the puck hit him and diverted into the Bison goal, from Witowski’s shot (28.23), giving the home side, a pretty unassailable lead.
Half way through the game and Brendan Baird would get called for Slashing (30.24), but the Bison would successfully kill the penalty.
Harrison Walker, would pick up a Tripping penalty, as he upended a Bison player, that strayed too close to his crease (32.55).
The Bison powerplay, which was proving effective tonight, as Liam Morris (Milton, Balaz) saw his shot, go in off the post, giving Walker no chance (34.10), to reduce the deficit back to 3 goals, in Leeds favour.
At the second interval, the Knights players went into their locker room, knowing they were only one period away, from lifting that precious trophy on home ice, in front of their very own loud fans
The Shots on Goal were, 11 on Knights & 15 on the Bison.
The 3rd started and like the previous evening down in Hampshire, the Knights came out and basically upped a gear, throwing everything at the Bison net. Like Jordan Lawday 24hrs earlier, Alex Mettam was going to see alot of the puck. He made some good early saves early on, to keep out the Knights.
Carter Hamill drove hard to the visitors net, but he was impeded on his way in, as Brendan Baird was given a Hooking call (45.57). Once again, the Bison PK units would see off the penalty successfully and returned to full strength.
Mac Howlett picked up his second penalty of the evening, when he was called for Interference (48.00). But, like the Bison just before, the Leeds Knights would return to full strength, without conceding.
It really was one way traffic now, as the Bison were unable to launch any attacks of their own, after the relentless barrage of the Knights very impressive forward lines.
Alex Mettam, was doing everything he could to keep out the constant shots on his net and he pulled off some great saves along the way.
Hallam Wilson earned himself a Holding call (57.28) & a minute later, Marcus Mitchell was also penalised, when he picked up a Tripping call (58.10), giving the Knights a two man advantage.
The clock was running down and as we entered the final minute of the game, Alex Mettam finally succumbed to the relentless Knights pressure. Adam Barnes (Brooks, Bradon) scoring on the powerplay & put the final seal on the game, as he finished a well worked move (59.18). Bison returned to 4 skaters for the remainder of the game.
The final buzzer sounded for the end of the game, with the scoreline reading … Leeds Knights 6 Basingstoke Bison 2.
The Leeds players celebrated, like they’d won the league….. Oh wait, they had…. !!
The SoG were announced as, a lowly 6 shots on Walker & a humongous 31 shots on Mettam !!
Can’t say, i have ever seen so many shots on one side, in a single period before and considering Mettsy only was beaten once, he did brilliantly.
Marcel Balaz was named as MoM for the Bison & Adam Barnes picked up the beers, for the Knights.
I would personally like to say, Many Congratulations to the Leeds Knights, on their fantastic season, coached by Ryan Aldridge. They were very worthy winners and absolutely the best team I’ve seen, since the Bison treble winning side of 2017/18 season.
Match Stats:
Knights Stats : Barnes 1+2, Bradon 1+1, Brown 1+1, Haywood 1+1, Witowski 1+1, C Shudra 1+0, Brooks 0+2, Perre 0+1.
Nets : Walker (30/2)
Bison Stats : Milton 1+1, Morris 1+0, Balaz 0+2, Baird 0+1.
Nets : Mettam (56/6)
PiMs : Knights 10 Bison 10
SoG : Knights 56 Bison 30
Bison play their final Home League match next Saturday (1st April), as they have another Home & Home double-header. This time, it’s against the leagues other Yorkshire team… the Sheffield Steeldogs, as they visit the Bison Arena (Face Off – 6.30pm).
Don’t miss out – Good seats are still available by clicking this link: https://iceaccount.co.uk/basingstoke-bison?Reference=Bison-Website….
