Individual News
31st of January 2008
Today we start the build-up to the Basingstoke Bison's biggest game of the season in the British Knockout Cup semi-final against the visiting Hull Stingrays on Saturday.
Here Anthony Russell takes a look at previous meetings between the sides, plus casting his eye over the Hull players to watch.
Saturday is the semi-final first leg of the British Knockout Cup as we welcome Rick Strachan and the Hull Stingrays.
It's a Saturday night away from league competition so no overtime or penalty shots to separate the teams which I assume any Stingrays fans here this evening will be happy about.
Our last meeting here at the Basingstoke Arena was way back on December 15 2007 which saw a relatively easy win for the Bison.
David Vychodil scored early in the first period with a blue line drive and Derek Campbell added a second early in the second period with a 5-on-3 powerplay goal.
Greg Owen with a short handed goal midway through the third wrapped the game up for the home team, but Lee Esders slotted home to ruin the shut-out for Curtis Cruickshank as the Bison won 3-1.
Our last game in Hull is one that those there won't forget in a hurry. The Bison led 2-1 at the end of 40 minutes but then all hell broke loose as nine goals were scored in the third period.
Hull led 6-4 going into the final two minutes but a goal from Danny Stewart and a powerplay goal Derek Campbell saw the game tied at 6-6 and the travelling Bison fans in raptures. The game ended in a shootout with Brad Cruikshank scoring the winning penalty for the good guys.
Looking at the league table, it's not fun being a Hull Stingrays fan at the moment. Bottom of the table, two points behind Edinburgh and nine behind the Bison for that last play-off spot. The British Knockout Cup seems the Stingrays last real hope of salvaging the season.
The Stingrays have advanced this far thanks to their win over Manchester in the quarter final. The affair went to overtime in the second leg but Jake Riddle popped up to seal the Humberside team's passage to the semis.
Man to watch: Troy Neumeier
Whilst he may be on his 3rd club this season after spells with Belfast and Coventry, Troy Neumeier is not a man to be taken lightly. A true rock at the back, he has come in and added some real class to the Stingrays' defensive corps. Never a huge points scorer, the former Manchester Storm defender (named in his autobiography by Tony Hand as one of the best players he'd seen in the UK) can easily pop up with a blue line shot to put a hole in a netminder.
Here Anthony Russell takes a look at previous meetings between the sides, plus casting his eye over the Hull players to watch.
Saturday is the semi-final first leg of the British Knockout Cup as we welcome Rick Strachan and the Hull Stingrays.
It's a Saturday night away from league competition so no overtime or penalty shots to separate the teams which I assume any Stingrays fans here this evening will be happy about.
Our last meeting here at the Basingstoke Arena was way back on December 15 2007 which saw a relatively easy win for the Bison.
David Vychodil scored early in the first period with a blue line drive and Derek Campbell added a second early in the second period with a 5-on-3 powerplay goal.
Greg Owen with a short handed goal midway through the third wrapped the game up for the home team, but Lee Esders slotted home to ruin the shut-out for Curtis Cruickshank as the Bison won 3-1.
Our last game in Hull is one that those there won't forget in a hurry. The Bison led 2-1 at the end of 40 minutes but then all hell broke loose as nine goals were scored in the third period.
Hull led 6-4 going into the final two minutes but a goal from Danny Stewart and a powerplay goal Derek Campbell saw the game tied at 6-6 and the travelling Bison fans in raptures. The game ended in a shootout with Brad Cruikshank scoring the winning penalty for the good guys.
Looking at the league table, it's not fun being a Hull Stingrays fan at the moment. Bottom of the table, two points behind Edinburgh and nine behind the Bison for that last play-off spot. The British Knockout Cup seems the Stingrays last real hope of salvaging the season.
The Stingrays have advanced this far thanks to their win over Manchester in the quarter final. The affair went to overtime in the second leg but Jake Riddle popped up to seal the Humberside team's passage to the semis.
Man to watch: Troy Neumeier
Whilst he may be on his 3rd club this season after spells with Belfast and Coventry, Troy Neumeier is not a man to be taken lightly. A true rock at the back, he has come in and added some real class to the Stingrays' defensive corps. Never a huge points scorer, the former Manchester Storm defender (named in his autobiography by Tony Hand as one of the best players he'd seen in the UK) can easily pop up with a blue line shot to put a hole in a netminder.