BASINGSTOKE, UK – The biggest weekend of their campaign is coming up for the Bison as they face a top of the table clash with the visiting Manchester Phoenix on Saturday.
That is then followed by a trip to reigning EPL champions Guildford Flames.
The Herd beat the Phoenix on the opening weekend of the season 2-1, but last weekend Manchester went to the summit after beating Guildford back-to-back.
They are in red hot form at the moment as that made it six wins on the trot.
With just one point between the teams the Bison know victory on Saturday night will send them back to the top.
Then they have the tough task of winning in Guildford who they shared a pre-season series with as both games were tied.
In contrast the Flames are on a five game losing streak after the Phoenix defeats and three of those have been on home ice.
Last weekend, the Herd had just one game against bottom side Telford Tigers.
Despite the teams being poles apart in the table the Tigers once again ran the Bison close on home ice and with four minutes to go it looked like they might take away another win – their third on the trot from Basingstoke.
Those hopes were dashed as a late powerplay saw Joe Greener tie the game and then Greg Chambers netted the game winner 47 seconds from time.
Earlier in the contest, Telford man-of-the-match Tim Burrows opened the scoring in under two minutes, but by the first break man-of-the-match Chambers and Sheppard had the home side in front.
The middle session saw two goals both to Telford as Adam Taylor extended his scoring streak against Basingstoke to two games.
Then new Czech defenseman Jaroslav Kruzik scored to make it 3-2.
The Bison then stole the game as they out shot the visitors 16-6 before securing the victory.
“We have found a way to win, but again we have only played desperate hockey in the final period.
“With Stevie Lyle in net we are always going to be in every game, but it would be nice to score a few more goals, but I am sure that will come,” said Bison player/coach Sheppard.
Contact the author Graham.Merry@Prohockeynews.com
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