The Basingstoke Bison enjoyed a derby day victory in Bristol, as they gained sweet revenge for a loss on home ice earlier in the month.  


Bristol Pitbulls 2-5 Basingstoke Bison 


The Bison started brightly and definitely had the better of the first period. 


Their first goal came in the sixth minute by Brendan Sellan as he netted a rebound from Mac Howlett’s shot.


The Herd doubled their lead thanks to a lovely strike from the top of the circle from Charles Farmer, after he was found by Charlie Risk.


Bristol pulled a goal back at 15.06 from man of the match Sean Morris but the Bison made sure they went in at the first break 3-1 ahead, as Sellan netted his second from Howlett and Farmer.


The Bison continued to dominate the Pitbulls in the second session, as within 10 seconds Howlett scored with a backhand finish. 


The Herd made it 5-1 when man of the march Howlett beat Will Kerlin all ends up at 28:09. 


The Bison continued to pepper the net but somehow were unable to add to their tally.


The final period saw Bristol pull a goal back on the powerplay from Dylan Stewart, as Ben Clarke-Leach was only beaten for a second time in 33 shots.


After this the Bison continued to look for a sixth goal with Howlett coming the closest as he hit the post on a breakaway, while captain George Norcliffe was twice denied by great saves from Kerlin.


Basingstoke Bison 2-3 (OT) Swindon Wildcats 


Swindon made a good start and scored twice in the space of 43 seconds from man of the match Caden Villegas and Liam Fraser.


The Bison battled back and Brendan Sellan was denied on a breakaway chance, as was Mac Howlett with the rebound. 


The Herd reduced the lead to one before the first buzzer as Charles Farmer tipped home a Howlett shot.


The second period had few clear cut chances by either team but it was not for the want of trying. 


Swindon’s Ed Bradley hit the post and Bison’s Alex Sampford crashed a shot off the cross bar as it remained it 2-1 at the second break.


Both teams continued to nullify each other, but roared on by the home fans the Bison’s commitment to the cause paid off with a well deserved equaliser.


It came from a set play as Sellan won the face-off and found Farmer who fed AJ Macaulay to fire low into the bottom of the net at 54:21.


With no further scoring the game went to overtime.


Swindon had the first big chance as Villegas was denied by Bison man of the match Ben Clarke-Leach.


The Herd then went close from Sellan and Macaulay, before Matt Vermaeten scored the game winner at 64:32. 


The Bison are next in action on Thursday night away in Swindon which has a 7.30pm face-off.


They then have a double header weekend against the Romford Raiders.


The first game is on Saturday (6.30pm) in Basingstoke with the return in Romford on Sunday ( 5.15pm)