Individual News
9th of October 2008
The Basingstoke Bison will face the Newcastle Vipers in what should be a hard-hitting clash on Saturday night, as they slither into town for the first time this season.
Only the Herd's Canadian defenceman Eric Braff looks set to sit out this weekend's battles, as is still recovering from an ankle injury.
Captain Brad Cruikshank will return to action on home ice, having finished his recent suspension. His first game back was last Sunday where he scored in the Sheffield loss.
The Bison have had what can only be described as a horrible start to the campaign. They will now be eager to get back on track and give their fans their first home victory of the season.
When Newcastle and Basingstoke met earlier in the season in the north east, it was a superb contest, which ended with Marek Ivan scoring Newcastle's winning penalty shot past Stephen Wall to win the game 6-5.
Saturday's game should be just as exciting, as the most physical side in the league travel south, with the Herd keen to take the venom out of the Vipers. Saturday's visitors have won just once on the road this season, but that was last weekend in Cardiff.
Since the last encounter between these teams, new super American netminder Kevin Reiter and fast skating Canadian forward Matt Miller have been added to the Basingstoke roster.
Bison head coach Ryan Aldridge knows the importance of the Newcastle visit and said: "This is a game we have to win. We have a near full line-up and are playing at home. We have to start picking up points up in own building, if we are to climb the standings.
"We have had a tough start, playing a lot of the top teams and always being short staffed. Now is the time to show what this team is all about and I expect it to be an super charged game against Newcastle."
Tickets for the clash which gets under way at 6.30pm, can be purchased from the box office on (01256) 355266 or by turning up on the night - doors open at 5.30pm.
On Sunday evening, the Bison make their first trip to Altrincham, to face the Manchester Phoenix looking to avenge a 4-3 defeat on home ice last month.
Aldridge said: "They have a lot of depth in their line-up, but their rink is a similar size to Cardiff which seems to suit us. I expect us to do well there and hope we can get something out of the game."
Only the Herd's Canadian defenceman Eric Braff looks set to sit out this weekend's battles, as is still recovering from an ankle injury.
Captain Brad Cruikshank will return to action on home ice, having finished his recent suspension. His first game back was last Sunday where he scored in the Sheffield loss.
The Bison have had what can only be described as a horrible start to the campaign. They will now be eager to get back on track and give their fans their first home victory of the season.
When Newcastle and Basingstoke met earlier in the season in the north east, it was a superb contest, which ended with Marek Ivan scoring Newcastle's winning penalty shot past Stephen Wall to win the game 6-5.
Saturday's game should be just as exciting, as the most physical side in the league travel south, with the Herd keen to take the venom out of the Vipers. Saturday's visitors have won just once on the road this season, but that was last weekend in Cardiff.
Since the last encounter between these teams, new super American netminder Kevin Reiter and fast skating Canadian forward Matt Miller have been added to the Basingstoke roster.
Bison head coach Ryan Aldridge knows the importance of the Newcastle visit and said: "This is a game we have to win. We have a near full line-up and are playing at home. We have to start picking up points up in own building, if we are to climb the standings.
"We have had a tough start, playing a lot of the top teams and always being short staffed. Now is the time to show what this team is all about and I expect it to be an super charged game against Newcastle."
Tickets for the clash which gets under way at 6.30pm, can be purchased from the box office on (01256) 355266 or by turning up on the night - doors open at 5.30pm.
On Sunday evening, the Bison make their first trip to Altrincham, to face the Manchester Phoenix looking to avenge a 4-3 defeat on home ice last month.
Aldridge said: "They have a lot of depth in their line-up, but their rink is a similar size to Cardiff which seems to suit us. I expect us to do well there and hope we can get something out of the game."