BASINGSTOKE UK: The Bison snapped a two game losing streak and then beat their arch local rivals the Bracknell Bees for a second time just 24 hours later.
The first contest of a double header weekend saw Bracknell netminder Alex Mettam produce a superb display as he made 52 saves in a 4-2 loss at the Basingstoke Arena.
Game photo from Bison-Bees match – file photo courtesy of Kevin Slyfield @kevslyfield
If it was not for the cage man, the Bees would have been out of the contest at the second buzzer, instead they just trailing by the odd goal in five.
American Derek Roehl had given the home side the lead, only for Scott Spearing to tie things up.
The first goal of the campaign from British defenseman Kurt Reynolds edged the home side again ahead going into the first break.
Roehl’s second of the contest made it 3-1 game, but former Bison Shaun Thompson in his first game back in his old stomping ground, made it a one goal game at the second hooter.
A super solo strike from Dan Davies extended the lead to two and despite four powerplays in the final 20 minutes for Bracknell, this is how it remained to the final buzzer.
The following night in the Hive, the Bison raced away to a 3-0 advantage after the first 20 minutes, with Roehl once again opening the scoring followed Rene Jarolin and Ciaran Long.
Long the club’s leading goal scorer this season added another after the break and Davies with his second of the weekend made it 5-0.
Carl Thompson then opened the Bees account on their eighth powerplay of the weekend and then James Galazzi scored their second.
However, either side of this, Joe Miller scored his first goals since returning to the Herd to complete the 7-2 victory.
“I felt Bracknell made it harder for us on Saturday night in our own barn. We had to score early in their place and once we were 3-0 up we were able to control the game. I hope we can now get a run going and there is a lot of hockey still left in this season,” said Bison head coach Doug Sheppard.
The double success moved the Bison up to third in the EPL and next up for them on Boxing Day is a visit from the Swindon Wildcats. The sides then face-off again in Swindon the following day.
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