Week 3 of the 2022/23 Planet Ice National League season, will see the GalxC Cooling Services Basingstoke Bison taking on Telford Tigers and the Hull Seahawks.
On Saturday night we welcome the reigning National League champions to the Silverdome, face off is 6.30pm.
Telford are coached by the 2021/22 National League Coach of the Year, Tom Watkins, and captained by the highly respected Jason Silverthorn.
Tigers roster is predominantly that of 2021/22, a couple of notable departures from last season being Austin Mitchell-King (Peterborough Phantoms) and Andrew McKinney (Deeside Dragons), although they have retained their experienced core of Brad Day, Jonathon Weaver, Rick Plant, Scott McKenzie and Silverthorn.
Additions for 2022/23 are Rhodes Mitchell-King(D) signed from Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings and who will be on a 2-Way contract with Elite League Coventry Blaze, Thomas Byrne(F) making the step up from Telford’s NIHL 2 team and Daniel Mulcahy(F) signed from NIHL 1 Solihull Barons.
One to Watch: Finley Howells (Forward) Shirt No 46.
A 19 year old local lad, Howells is a product of the Tigers youth programme, who first appeared for the senior side in the 2018/19 season, subsequently going onto make just over 100 league appearances and scoring 63 points (27+36).
On Sunday the Bison make the long trip north to Humberside to face the rebranded Hull Seahawks (formerly Hull Pirates) at the Hull Arena, face off will be 5.30pm.
After sitting out the 2021/22 season due to delays with their rink refurbishment, Hull have returned under new owners as the Seahawks, Matty Davies is the Player/Head Coach and General Manager, while Hull born Samuel Towner takes on the role of Captain.
The Seahawks have endured a difficult start to the season with a number of key players absent through injury, additionally imports Emil Svec signed from Swindon and former Hull favourite Andrej Themár who was prolific for them in 2016/17 scoring 104 points (57+47) in 56 games, both are yet to arrive due to paperwork issues.
The roster has a fine mix of youth, quality and experience, no doubt once they get everyone fit and available their fortunes will quickly improve.
One to watch: Cameron Hamill (Forward) Shirt No 7.
18 year old Hamill is a product of the Belfast Giants youth programme, he joins the Seahawks from the Giants U18 SNL side, where last season he scored 22 points (14+8) from 11 appearances.
As far as the Bison are concerned, both the team and fans will be hoping to carry on from last weekends scintillating pair of performances, of course we start afresh against 2 very tough opponents and will need to dig deep on both days to capture the points on offer.
Fans of the Stampede can play their part in getting the weekend off to a positive start on Saturday night by getting behind the boys in the usual fashion.
Tickets are still available to purchase by clicking the following link: https://iceaccount.co.uk/basingstoke-bison?Reference=Bison-Website
Loud, Louder, Loudest.
