BASINGSTOKE, UK – The Bison return to the home ice for the first time this season in a special four-team tournament which has been named the Oliveira 4-on-4 Challenge Trophy on Saturday. This is because all the games will be played four-on-four, to add a new dimension to the evening. It should be a great season opener as the Herd lock horns with their EPL rivals Bracknell Bees along with ENL outfits Wightlink Raiders and Bristol Pitbulls, who are both coached by former Bison players Jeremy Cornish and Richard Hargreaves. Each of the four teams will wear a unique jersey for the event which will be auctioned off at the end of the game to raise money for two charities Naomi House Children’s Hospice and Jacksplace along with CLIC Sargent
The format of the event will involve a round-robin tournament to determine the places for a third/fourth game, and a final for the trophy. Each game will be on a running clock of 20 minutes with the final minute on a stopped clock if only one goal divides the teams. Basingstoke’s starting netminder Dean Skinns will sit out this weekend to give summer signing from Wightlink Matt Colclough the chance to play the bulk of the games, while Basingstoke-born teenager Connor Standing – the third goalie on the team and back-up this weekend should also see some action. With Colclough starting between the pipes it means he will come face-to-face with his former Wightlink teammates on his debut in the opening game of the tournament. The second match will see the new-look Bees, who include last season’s Herdmen of Carl Graham and Tom Annetts, looking to sting the Pitbulls. “This is something new for this season. I think the fans and players are going to enjoy it. “At this point of the season I think this sort of thing is just what the players need, as playing four-on-four every player is involved with lots of puck possession and hard skating. It is far better than a training session,” Bison player/coach Steve Moria said. After this weekend, Basingstoke complete their build-up to the new EPL season with back-to-back challenge games against play-off winners Guildford. This will give the Bison fans the first chance to see their new full squad in action. It will also see the return of Greg Chambers to Basingstoke. The Canadian was the club’s top goal and points scorer during the Elite League era before icing for Coventry for two years, but this summer signed by the Flames and is assured of a warm welcome on his return to his old stamping ground. Contact the author Graham.Merry@Prohockeynews.com
