Individual News
30th of December 2007
The Basingstoke Bison finished off 2007 in style with a 5-4 win over Manchester Phoenix.
Manchester must have thought they had this game won with just over two and a half minutes to go but they were dealt a double whammy as Basingstoke struck twice with two goals from Brad Cruikshank 16 seconds apart in the last minute to take the points.
The Bison, who were short of personnel, made their powerplay unit count as they converted four of the opportunities that came their way this was an obvious deciding factor in the game as they killed off all three powerplay opportunities for the visitors.
Phoenix were first to get on the board as Brian Passmore (9th) found the net at 4.34. Within seven seconds of going on the powerplay the Bison were back on level terms as they made the extra man count with a goal from Danny Stewart (17th) at 7.22. David Vychodil's blue line bullet rebounding out to the waiting Bison forward who buried the puck into an open goal.
The hosts then got a 5 on 3 powerplay opportunity at 22.36 and took full advantage as Greg Chambers (17th) put the home side in front. The Phoenix came back at the Bison and at 37.52 top goal scorer Joe Tallari netted his 30th of the season for the teams to go in after two periods all square at two apiece.
The Bison were back in front 44 seconds into the third period with yet another powerplay goal this time from Greg Owen (15th). They failed to hold onto this lead for any length of time as the always dangerous Tallari (31st) tied the game up once again at 42.31. With time running out and overtime looking likely, Jeff MacMillan with his first goal of the season netted what looked like the game winner at 57.24.. Then for the fourth time on the night the Bison made their powerplay unit count as Brad Cruikshank (14th) restored equality and then 16 seconds later Cruikshank (15th) hit home the game winner for the Hampshire team, beating Fankhouser with a high shot from the right circle.
Period Scores: 1-1, 1-1, 3-2
Penalty Mins: 16-16
Powerplay: Bas 4/8 -Man 0/3
Shots On: Curtis Cruickshank 49 - Scott Fankhouser 44
Other Saturday results:
Belfast Giants 6 Cardiff Devils 3
Newcastle Vipers 4 Hull Stingrays 2
Nottingham Panthers 2 Sheffield Steelers 3 (After PS)
Manchester must have thought they had this game won with just over two and a half minutes to go but they were dealt a double whammy as Basingstoke struck twice with two goals from Brad Cruikshank 16 seconds apart in the last minute to take the points.
The Bison, who were short of personnel, made their powerplay unit count as they converted four of the opportunities that came their way this was an obvious deciding factor in the game as they killed off all three powerplay opportunities for the visitors.
Phoenix were first to get on the board as Brian Passmore (9th) found the net at 4.34. Within seven seconds of going on the powerplay the Bison were back on level terms as they made the extra man count with a goal from Danny Stewart (17th) at 7.22. David Vychodil's blue line bullet rebounding out to the waiting Bison forward who buried the puck into an open goal.
The hosts then got a 5 on 3 powerplay opportunity at 22.36 and took full advantage as Greg Chambers (17th) put the home side in front. The Phoenix came back at the Bison and at 37.52 top goal scorer Joe Tallari netted his 30th of the season for the teams to go in after two periods all square at two apiece.
The Bison were back in front 44 seconds into the third period with yet another powerplay goal this time from Greg Owen (15th). They failed to hold onto this lead for any length of time as the always dangerous Tallari (31st) tied the game up once again at 42.31. With time running out and overtime looking likely, Jeff MacMillan with his first goal of the season netted what looked like the game winner at 57.24.. Then for the fourth time on the night the Bison made their powerplay unit count as Brad Cruikshank (14th) restored equality and then 16 seconds later Cruikshank (15th) hit home the game winner for the Hampshire team, beating Fankhouser with a high shot from the right circle.
Period Scores: 1-1, 1-1, 3-2
Penalty Mins: 16-16
Powerplay: Bas 4/8 -Man 0/3
Shots On: Curtis Cruickshank 49 - Scott Fankhouser 44
Other Saturday results:
Belfast Giants 6 Cardiff Devils 3
Newcastle Vipers 4 Hull Stingrays 2
Nottingham Panthers 2 Sheffield Steelers 3 (After PS)