BASINGSTOKE, UK – The Bison have held on to top spot in the EPL for another week despite only winning one of their last two outings.
Their first game after reaching the summit saw them beaten on home ice by the Swindon Wildcats 2-0.
Jonas Hoog the man listed as the one to watch in the matchday programme lived up to the billing with two goals, while former Bison cageman Dean Skinns enjoyed a 27 shot shut-out.
The Basingstoke-born goalie was delighted to have blanked his old team on what was his birthday.
When wearing a Bison jersey he only shared a shut-out which was way back in September 2001.
He was called into the action for what was his Herd debut in what turned out to be a critical win in Slough as he faced four shots in the final period.
Four days later and the Bison bounced back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory at the Peterborough Phantoms.
Leading goal scorer Joe Miller a hat-trick hero last time against his old club in a 4-0 success netted the opening the goal the only one of the first two period.
The Phantoms had chances to level, but were unable to do so even from three 5-on-3 situations.
They finally tied the game eight minutes from time on their seventh powerplay of the night as man-of-the-match Stevie Lyle who made 41 saves on the night was beaten by former Bison marksman Ondrej Lauko.
Then just as thoughts were turning to overtime the Herd stole the game as player/coach Doug Sheppard netted with 53 seconds.
“I was really pleased with the win as we played another strong defensive game. It was nice to see us score on the PP and we had a strong game on the PK as well,” said Sheppard.
This weekend the Bison have just one game again bottom side Telford Tigers.
On paper it looks a easy win, but the Herd should not under estimate a team that has won on three of their last four visits to Hampshire.
So given them one of the best records in the EPL at the Basingstoke Arena.
Contact the author Graham.Merry@Prohockeynews.com
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