BASINGSTOKE Bison cruised into the play-off semi-finals, as they easily beat the Sheffield Steeldogs 6-2 on home ice on Sunday night, to complete a 8-2 aggregate win.

This sets up a final four clash with their local rivals Guildford Flames on Saturday in Coventry (face-off 5pm).

The Herd already two goals up from the first-leg extended their lead on the first powerplay of the night, as Tomas Karpov slotted home with a low shot.

Sheffield replied on their first powerplay as man-of-the-match Greg Wood scored from close range.

In a physical opening the visitors created a number of good chances, but by the end of the period they were 2-1 down after Ciaran Long scored with a top corner strike.

From the start of the second session the Bison really turned on the pressure and Joe Rand put away his own rebound to extend the lead overall to four.

The final period continued in the same vein as a lovely passing move which involved Nicky Chinn and Aaron Connolly saw Rand score his second of the game.

One of the biggest cheers of the night, followed young Brit Danny Ingoldsby’s crushing check on Tom Squires into the home bench.

The game as a contest was ended with two goals in the space of 16 seconds, as Andy Melachrino unmarked at the far post netted and then man-of-the-match Cameron Wynn put away his own rebound.

At this point, Sheffield called a time-out and swapped their netminders as Bradley Day took over from Dalibor Sedlar.

The visitors then scored a late consolation goal from Edgars Bebris, but by then the Herd fans were already celebrating another trip to Coventry.

In the other games on Sunday night, league champions Manchester beat Bracknell 6-3 to win 8-6 overall and Guildford edged out Telford 3-2 to book their place after the first game was tied.

Swindon overturned a 3-2 deficit to knock-out Milton Keynes 5-4 on aggregate.