THE Basingstoke Bison started 2014 in great style, as they moved to the top of the English Premier League, after a 4-3 win at the Guildford Flames on New Year’s Day.

For the second game running the Herd came back from 2-0 down to take the victory in dramatic style. This time with a goal 20 seconds from time.

The Bison made the most a late David Savage penalty, as Tomas Karpov hammered home a powerplay goal to win the match.

Earlier in the contest, the home side got off to a great start as Swedish import Marcus Kristoffersson back from injury scored at 4:35.

Before the visitors had a chance to hit back, Tom Duggan put away a pass from Jozef Kohut to score.

The Bison hauled themselves back into the contest thanks to Karpov’s first of the night, but still trailed 2-1 at the first buzzer.

The game was tied at 23:33, as Ciaran Long continued his goal scoring streak with his sixth goal in four games.

After this both sides looked for the go ahead goal and it was Guildford who scored it just before the break as Milos Melicherik converted a pass from Kristoffersson.

Back came the Bison in the final session, as Andy Melachrino was set-up by Karpov to make it 3-3.
The game then looked set to go into overtime, before Karpov popped up with the late winner.