Images (c) Jo Loat
FINAL SCORE : TIGERS 4 BISON 3 (APS) (1-1, 0-2, 2-0, 0-0)
Sunday 13th November 2022
By Nigel Simmonds
Refs : Mr Brooks & Miss Neenan
Lino’s : Mr Carrington & Miss Stanley
After Saturday evenings hard fought match, that sadly ended in another defeat, your GalaxC Cooling Services sponsored Basingstoke Bison travelled to Shropshire, to try and take the points away, from the Telford Tigers.
Not icing for the Bison were, Adam Jones, Alex Sampford, Josh Kelly, Adrian Dusznik & also Liam Morris, who was suspended, from an altercation the previous evening.
Before the game, Rememberance Sunday was fittingly remembered, as there was a lone recital of the Last Post, which was perfectly delivered & observed by everyone in attendance. That was followed by a 2 Minute Silence.. again, perfectly observed.
After all the pre-game formalities had finished, Brad Day & Jordan Lawday, would both get the nod, to start between the pipes.
After a brisk start to the game, it would be the visitors that took an early lead, when Aidan Doughty (Balaz) netted past Brad Day on his short side (3.30). That was a great start and was very welcome, by the quite noisy travelling Bison fans.
Tigers would respond however and it was a well worked goal, with Scott McKenzie’s pinpoint pass, being redirected perfectly, by Tigers captain Jason Silverthorn (7.49).
Tigers would pile on the pressure after that and they would’ve extended their lead, but they didn’t count on Bison nettie Jordan Lawday, being in sparkling form, making some really good saves.
At the end of the penalty less first period, both teams went in level. Shots on goal were 10 on Tigers & 16 on the Bison.
Into the second period and it would be the visitors that would net again early on. Thomas Banner’s shot on goal being saved by Day, but the puck fell to Marcel Balaz at the back post and he crept in and poked the puck over the line (23.54).
Bison had another great chance, when a two-on-one was created by Oli Hemmings-Maher & Roman Cathcart scooting up ice together…
Oli waited until the last moment to pass the puck, but it was unfortunately intercepted by the Tigers d-man, before reaching Cathcart. Those two young guys on the 3rd line with Paul Petts, were getting plenty of ice time and they honestly looked dangerous, every time they had the puck… They skate well, they hit well and they have oodles of energy to burn..
Tigers Corey Goodison, would pick up a Hooking penalty (33.35), giving the Bison a powerplay chance. But, Tigers penalty killers would successfully kill the penalty.
Soon after however, a poor hit on the boards would be signalled by the refs, but as Bison had the puck, they continued up ice. Marcus Mitchell & Aidan Doughty combined to set Edgars Landsbergs free and as Brad Day came out to close down the Bison forward, Edgars got enough on the puck, to lift it over Day and into the empty Tigers net. It was a delayed penalty goal (35.57), with Finley Howells being called for Boarding..
A few minutes on and a coming together in front of the Bison net, led to Marcus Mitchell & Brodie Jesson dropping the gloves… Sadly it was over before it began. Both guys landing one punch, before falling to the ice. Each guy receiving a 5 min Fighting penalty (38.08).
At the second interval, Bison were worthy leaders of their 3-1 lead. Another good period from Jordan Lawday keeping the Tigers at bay, facing another 16 shots, whilst Day only faced 9 shots.
The 3rd period started and i’m sure the Bison would’ve been well aware, that Tigers would come out hard and fast to try and get back into the game.
Paul Petts would pick up a Holding call (45.21). Tigers put loads of pressure on the Bison net and had it not been for Jordan Lawday, who made some incredible saves, to keep out the Tigers out. Thankfully, the Bison would successfully kill the remainder of the penalty and return to full strength.
A couple of minutes later and a bit of a naughty hit by experienced Rick Plant, on Roman Cathcart. Plant connecting with Roman’s knee, which saw the youngster leave the ice uncomfortably.
Paul Petts, taking exception to the hit, stuck up for his linemate and got involved by getting in Plant’s face.
The resulting penalties were Rick Plant received a minor Kneeing call & Paul Petts, being given a Cross-Checking penalty (49.01).
Both teams down a man on the ice and Bison would get caught turning the puck over behind their net in their own zone. Somehow, the puck managed to get from behind the net and Scott McKenzie was on hand to squeeze the puck past Lawday, to give the Tigers a lifeline.. (50.26).
This really did get the home fans on their feet again and the momentum was certainly on Telfords side now.
A couple of minutes later and Bison would get called again. This time young Oli Hemmings-Maher was awarded a Holding call (52.35).
Tigers came out and were clearly fired up to find an equaliser. They moved the puck around well before entering the Bison zone, but the puck was cleared. Back they came and Rick Plant standing alone behind the Bison net, was given time to play the puck, to an on-rushing Rhodes Mitchell-King and he absolutely blasted the puck past Lawday in the Bison net (53.50).
It was now a case of, could Tigers complete the comeback and find a winner. However, Scott McKenzie picked up a Hooking call (55.16).
This gave the Bison PP unit another chance with the man advantage. Sadly though, they couldn’t find a way past Brad Day and they returned to full strength.
Into the final two minutes of the game now and it really was a bit of squeaky bottom time. Tigers called their “Time Out” at 59.34, with the face off in the Bison zone.
Neither team could find a goal, so at 60 minutes played, we were all level, going into a 5 min sudden death Overtime period.
Both netties made good saves to keep the score level and neither team could find the net, so at the end of the extra period, we were all set up, for a penalty shoot-out to decide, where the extra point would go.
The Shoot Out is the best of 5 and Bison were up first…. This is how the penalty shots went….
(B) Marcel Balaz – SAVED
(T) Vladimir Luka – GOAL
(B) Gaël Lubwele – SAVED
(T) Scott McKenzie – GOAL
(B) Zack Milton – SAVED
(T) Finley Howells – SAVED
(B) Aidan Doughty – GOAL
(T) Jason Silverthorn – GOAL
Final Score : Tigers 4 Bison 3 (APS)
Oli Hemmings-Maher was voted Bison MoM, for the second week running and was clearly worthy, whilst Tigers Captain Jason Silverthorn, picked up the beers for home team.
Match Stats:
Tigers Stats : McKenzie 1+1, Mitchell-King 1+0, Silverthorn 1+0, Plant 0+1.
Nets : Day (26/3)
Bison Stats : Balaz 1+1, Doughty 1+1, Landsbergs 1+0, Banner 0+1, Mitchell 0+1.
Nets : Lawday (48/3)
PiMs : Tigers 13 Bison 11
SoG : Tigers 48 Bison 26
It was a really good effort put in by the guys and although they will be really disappointed that they couldn’t get both points, you have to say that a point is better than none.
Hopefully, a good weeks practice is in store and fingers crossed, all the missing guys, returning to the line-up, we will be ready for the MK Lightning, when they visit the Bison Arena this coming Friday (18th)… Face Off at 8pm…
Tickets for Friday nights Planet Ice National League against the MK Lightning (Face off 8pm) are available from the following link:https://iceaccount.co.uk/basingstoke-bison?Reference=Bison-Website
