Photo (C) Jo Loat
By Simon Church
This weekends National League fixtures see the GalxC Cooling Services sponsored Basingstoke Bison play host to the Bees and then visit the Phantoms.
Firstly, we welcome Slough-based Bees IHC to the Silverdome on Saturday night, face off is 6.30pm. Our visitors are currently 9th with 17 points from 26 games, courtesy of 8 wins and an OT loss in Swindon.
Bees recently parted company with Bayley Harewood, who opted to join Telford Tigers, although they have recruited former Bison favourite Alan Lack from Raiders and Zaine McKenzie from MKL. Import forward Dominik Gabaj is their leading scorer with 40 points (21+19) from 25 games, followed young defender Edward Bradley on 27 points (7+20) also from 25 games.
Saturday’s game is the 4th meeting between the teams this season, Bees won the first in Slough, while Bison have taken the points in the other two.
Generally Bison v Bees matches are exciting, feisty affairs and no doubt the fans will be expecting more of the same on Saturday.
Tickets are selling fast for the Bees games so it is advisable to book your tickets in advance online
Sunday sees the Herd make the journey to the Bretton rink, where they will play Peterborough Phantoms, face off is 5.30pm.
Phantoms, like many NIHL National League sides, have suffered from injuries and illness, although they’re enjoying a resurgence in form of late and have climbed to 5th place.
Out of 26 games played they have collected 25 points from 12 wins and an OT loss, also in Swindon.
Leading the scoring for Peterborough are Glenn Billing and Ales Padelek, both with 36 points (12+24), Billing has played in 21 games and Padelek 25.
It’s believed that Nathan Salem could possibly return from injury this coming weekend and will likely be joined by newly signed 2nd import, Petr Stepanek is back after a spell in his native Czech Rep to further strengthen the Phantoms line up.
With the Bison fresh from defeating Telford at home and winning in Leeds last weekend, confidence will be high with Ash and the boys, they will of course be ready not only for two extremely tough games, but to hopefully continue moving up the table.
Fans of the Herd attending either or both games this weekend, you know the drill, it’s Loud, Louder, Loudest.
