THE Basingstoke Buffalo opened their league campaign with an emphatic 9-1 win over the visiting Streatham Black Hawks last Sunday, writes Graham Merry.

A second-period goal blitz set up the victory, after a much closer first 20 minutes, which saw the home side just 1-0 ahead.

Their opening goal came from Hallam Wilson, as he converted a lovely pass from Scott Anda.

The lead was doubled within two minutes of the restart as Paul Petts hammered home a rebound after Wilson’s shot had been saved.

Just 49 seconds later, Wilson made it 3-0 from close range.

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The Buffs fourth came at 30:18, as Cam Buckle produced a lovely finish, after Freddie Stephens and Sam Hemmings-Maher had combined.

Ethan Lane got Streatham on the scoreboard, which was the only time Dan Weller-Evans was to be beaten all evening.

Soon after, the Buffalo restored their four-goal lead as Buckle netted on the powerplay.

It was left to Anda to make it 6-1 at the second break, as he slotted home from the right wing.

After interval, the goals kept on coming for the home side. Wilson was released by Josh Bundy and completed his hat-trick as he drilled the puck through the legs of Streatham man of the match netminder Dylan Phillips.

Buffalo man of the match Xander Robinson fired in from the top of the circle assisted by Hemmings-Mayer and Ollie Reeves to make it 8-1.

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It was left to Petts to complete the scoring with a powerplay strike.

This Saturday (6.30pm), the Buffalo are at home again against last season’s league champions the Bristol Pitbulls.

After the Streatham game hat-trick hero Wilson, one of the Buffs player coaches said: “The boys played really well tonight and took on board what we had been doing in training. The win will give us confidence ahead of the Bristol game which is going to be tough, as they are a good team.”