BASINGSTOKE, UK – The current Basingstoke Bison goal scoring machine is British forward Ollie Bronnimann whose scoring streak is now eight games in a Herd jersey.
He took his tally to 31 goals from 41 league games on Sunday night, as the Bison enjoyed an 8-5 home victory over the Telford Tigers.
His brace on Saturday in the 4-2 win in Swindon saw the Brit reach the magic 30 and become one of only five players in the Basingstoke club history to reach this milestone.
The other four are Nicky Iandoli, Tony Redmond, Kenny Redmond and Gary Clarke who was the last player to achieve the feat back in the season of 2001/02.
Bronnimann who has scored 12 in his last eight games now needs 11 from the last 13 games of the regulate season to break Iandoli’s best ever tally of 41.
“I will certainly give it a go as there are plenty of games left and I am playing well at the moment.
“ I could have another goal tonight against Telford if not for a great glove save,” said Bronnimann.
The Bison were slow out of the blocks against a Telford side with just one import on Sunday and found themselves 2-0 down to goals from Scott McKenzie and Tom Watkins both scored.
Captain Nicky Chinn with a great back handed finish finally found a way past Martin Clarkson who had been in impressive form including a great breakway save from Viktor Kubenko earlier in the match.
The second session saw the home side get on top in the game with Bronnimann and Chris Wiggins putting the Herd into the lead.
The Tigers roared again at the start of the final period as Josh Bruce tied things up, but the Bison then scored three well worked team goals as Steve Moria, Chinn and Ondrej Lauko all found the net.
The two man-of-the-match winners Ashley Calvert and Kubenko then swapped strikes, before Basingstoke’s Sam Oakford grabbed his second goal of the season, before Telford’s Stuart Brittle completed the 8-5 scoreline.
“We were not ready to play in the first period and we were punished. We came back after that and it is pleasing that the scoring is spread around the team,” said Bison player/coach Moria
The previous night in Swindon, Basingstoke were straight out of the blocks with Bronnimann grabbing a first period brace.
After that there were no goals in the second session, Swindon broke Dean Skinns shut-out early in the third from Lee Richardson, but Mindy Kieras restored the Herd’s two goal advantage.
Jozef Liska pulled a goal back for the Wildcats, but Callum Best’s first ever goal in a Bison jersey made sure of the victory.
It ended Swindon’s four game winning streak and also was their first loss in three games against Basingstoke.
“I felt we played one of our best first periods we have all season and that was what won us the game. Ollie (Bronnimann) had an outstanding game all over the ice and it was great to see Callum (Best) score. He has deserved his goal for all the hard work he has put in,” said Bison boss Moria.
The two victories was a great way to start the busiest nine days of the season for the Herd, who now turn their attentions to booking a place in the final of the EPL Cup.
They face Manchester Phoenix at home on Tuesday night in the home leg and then travel north on Thursday.
Back in November the Bison did the double over Manchester and will hope to do the same again this week, but it is going to be tough.
Then at the weekend they have a double header of home action when Sheffield and Milton Keynes are the visitors.
Contact the author Graham.Merry@Prohockeynews.com
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