Image (C) Jo Loat
Final score: Basingstoke Bison 2-4 Leeds Knights (Play-off quarter final – 2nd leg)
By Matthew Church
Sunday 9th April 2023
Refs: Belfitt and Brooks – Linos: Lalonde and Sore
Here we go. For the final time this season and for the foreseeable future too, the GalxC Cooling Services sponsored Basingstoke Bison took to home ice for the second leg of the Play-off quarter final tie, as they welcomed the Leeds Knights who had won the first leg by an astonishing 11-2 margain. With the news now well known, that the Herd would not be icing for the 2023/2024 season whilst well-needed rink repairs were carried out, a bumper crowd was in fine spirits ahead of what would inevitably be an emotional night at the ‘Freezer of Dreams’.
Determined to go out in style, the Bison had seemingly erased the previous night’s scoreline from their memory as they came out firing, looking slick and aggressive against a slightly tentative Knights team. The raucous home crowd were soon jumping for joy (especially this particular writer) as the Herd took an early lead at 5:17 through their inspired leader. Whilst on the powerplay, miscommunication amongst the visiting side saw Bison captain George Norcliffe (unassisted) gain possession near centre ice and race towards goal, before calmly sliding the puck through Knights’ netminder Sam Gospel for a marvellous short-handed goal.
Unfortunately, this caused the opposition to awake from their sleepy start and within 30 seconds, the Leeds Knights were back level at 1-1. Still on the same powerplay, the away side were able to set up properly and at 5:39, a bullet from the left wing was tipped in front by Matt Haywood (Witkowski, C.Shudra) past Jordan Lawday in net. With momentum firmly on their side, the Knights continued to press and search for the go-ahead goal but would find netminder Lawday in fine form, pulling off multiple stops to keep them at bay.
Eventually, the pressure became too much though and at 14:21, a slightly fortuitous goal saw the visitors take a lead they would never relinquish. A fierce shot was redirected by Matt Haywood (Witkowski, Howlett), which seemed to squeeze through the Bison netminder and creep over the line to leave the Knights 1-2 in front after 20 minutes.
The middle frame would see the scoreline remain close, but the majority of the scoring chances heading the way of the Knights as their offensive prowess was on full display. The first goal of the period arrived early on and went the way of the visiting side, at 23:44. Another powerplay opportunity was seized upon, neat passing led to Mac Howlett (Brown, Witkowski) firing past a screened Lawday in net from below the hash-marks, with a clinical shot to put the Knights 1-3 ahead. The home side had a couple of powerplay chances of their own but could not solve the riddle of the stingy Knights defence and were unable to carve into the deficit facing them.
At 32:50, a momentous change of Bison netminder was initiated as Alex Mettam, playing in his final game of a truly remarkable career, came on to replace Jordan Lawday. The crowd rose to applaud ‘Mettsy’, a firm fan-favourite during his time with the Herd which was reflected post-game with the incredible announcement that the Bison would be retiring the number 28 jersey in honour of Alex and his service to the Herd.
With the period buzzer moments away, there was still time for the Bison to score their second goal of the night and give the home fans belief that one last miracle was perhaps not just a fantasy. Using the extra space well on a powerplay, a fierce shot from Gaël Lubwele hit the post and the rebound was stuffed home by Edgars Landsbergs (Lubwele, Milton) at 38:57, reacting with lightning speed from close range to leave the Herd only 2-3 behind after 40 minutes.
A surreal final 20 minutes began, with everyone in attendance knowing it felt slightly different to the usual ‘last game of the season’ atmosphere. The noise was deafening as the home fans roared the Bison onwards one last time (until the next time) and the away fans, who had travelled in impressive numbers, matched them all the way. The visitors took the opportunity to swap their netminders during the break, as Harrison Walker took to the ice. The only goal of the period came at 43:51, as the ever impressive Jake Witkowski (Haywood, Brown) worked his way into space by the right dot and sent a lethal backhand shot top-shelf past Alex Mettam, to move the Knights 2-4 in front.
Knowing that ‘the end’ was fast approaching, the Bison threw everything they had at their opponents in search of a miraculous comeback but the league champions are exactly that for a reason. They expertly navigated the final minutes and remained professional throughout, not giving in to sentiment and as the buzzer sounded, saw themselves heading to the Play-off Finals Weekend in Coventry courtesy of a 4-15 aggregate win.
As mentioned somewhere above, this was not the normal ‘end of season’ post-game celebrations and there was no point pretending otherwise. Regardless of whether you have followed the Herd since game one, this was your game one, or somewhere inbetween, it was almost impossible to avoid becoming wrapped up in the emotion of the night.
Players, staff and fans alike, many were visibly upset or speechless at the thought of having no Bison hockey in September. Hopefully, you are like me in choosing to remain optimistic the rink will be ready for us to return, bigger and better, in the 2024/2025 season.
Until then… Thank you to everyone who has taken time to read my game reports this season! The result wasn’t always positive but I love being able to represent the club and share that passion with others. Thank you to Nigel, John and my dad for their help along the way, as well as to the coaches and players (especially my number one, super Georgey Norcliffe) for their efforts across a tough and testing season.
Shout out to all volunteers throughout the club for helping in the roles you do, to make the club tick along smoothly. Lastly, shout out to the team medics for their vital and impressive work… Especially to Nikki, as on a personal note I’ve been extremely proud to watch one of my closest friends move from the stands with me, to the bench with the team and know she’s making a difference.
Enjoy your extended off-season, try to remain positive and believe the Bison will be back in 2024! Wise words from an Austrian friend of mine might help… “es ist keine auf wiedersehen, es ist bis bald”… which means “it is not goodbye, it is see you soon” 🙂
LET’S GO BISON!
Match Stats:
Bison stats: Landsbergs 1+0, Lubwele 0+1, Milton 0+1, Norcliffe 1+0
Netminder: Jordan Lawday 16/19 (84.21%) Alex Mettam 15/16 (93.75%)
Knights stats: Witkowski 1+3, Haywood 2+1, Brown 0+2, Howlett 1+1, C.Shudra 0+1
Netminder: Sam Gospel 20/22 (90.91%) Harrison Walker 6/6 (100%)
PIM: Bison 20 – Knights 16. SOG: Bison 28 – Knights 35.
Bison MOM: Kelly – Knights MOM: Witkowski
