BASINGSTOKE, UK- Having set a new EPL club record of 12 straight wins on Boxing Day against the Peterborough Phantoms, life has got tougher for the Herd with two defeats in their last three outings, both on the road, at Swindon and Peterborough. The latter saw the Bison suffer their second shut-out of the season, losing 4-0 in Cambridgeshire, but their fans will hope history will repeat itself as when they were previous blanked 5-0 at Milton Keynes the team went on that 12 game winning streak. So for Basingstoke this weekend it is crunch time as they try to get themselves back in the Championship race facing local rivals Slough Jets and Bracknell Bees. On paper, the stiffest test should be on Saturday in the home game as the Jets are just one place behind the Bison in the standings. However, the Bees have really been buzzing at the Hive in recent weeks, taking prized wins from both Guildford and Slough and would love to make it a hat-trick with Basingstoke. Meetings in the EPL between Basingstoke and Slough have had extra spice as the Bison include a number of ex-Jets players and Slough a fair few former Basingstoke ones. So far this season the Bison lead the series 2-1 with all the three victorious coming from the road team, something the Jets will be keen to continue on Saturday. The Bison are very hopeful that British forward Chris Wiggins will return to their line-up after missing the festive period games due to a groin strain, but fellow forward Ciaran Long will still be out of the line-up and is unlikely to return until February. On defence, both Sam Oakford and Daniel Lackey are set to sit out as well.
The Bison have been linked with talented young Cardiff Devils’ forward Ben Davies, but as yet nothing has been confirmed by the Hampshire club. He certainly would be a useful addition to the team with Long a long term absentee. Slough could also have a new face in their line-up this weekend, after club captain and leading points scorer Blaz Emersic departed this week and joined Milton Keynes. With the amount of offensive clout the Jets have this may not harm them in the short term. On Sunday night, the Bison travel to the Hive looking to maintain their perfect EPL record against the Bees. Only last week the teams locked horns in Basingstoke with the Bison skating away to a 7-3. Amongst the goal scorers on that night was Viktor Kubenko, the club’s top goal getter and the club have been quick to knock on the head the rumours that the Slovak is joining the Coventry Blaze in the Elite League. Which has come as a great relief to the Herd faithful as the import in his first season in Basingstoke has become a firm fans’ favourite. “We are looking at winning both games this weekend. It is not going to be easy as games are always close with Slough and I don’t feel Bracknell are a bottom placed team,” said Bison player/coach Steve Moria. Contact the author Graham.Merry@Prohockeynews.com
