Bison gear up for ‘do-or-die’ encounter

4:30pm Thursday 9th October 2008

IT’S time for a win – that’s the message from Basingstoke Bison head coach Ryan Aldridge to his team ahead of their clash with the Newcastle Vipers on Saturday night (6.30pm).

The Herd’s start to the league season has been hampered by injuries, suspensions and late arrivals of their foreign players, but this weekend they will only have Canadian defenceman Eric Braff missing from the line-up.

Latest signing Matt Miller flew in last Saturday, while captain Brad Cruikshank returned from suspension on Sunday.

Basingstoke have also faced a punishing schedule, which has seen them play all the top teams, but Newcastle – currently sixth with only one win on the road – will provide the Herd with their best chance yet to chalk up a much-needed first league success.

The game should see plenty of fireworks, as the visitors are the most physical side in the league.

When these teams met earlier in the season in the North East, it was entertainment all the way as Newcastle won 6-5 after a penalty shoot-out.

Looking to take the venom out of the Vipers, Bison boss Aldridge said: “This is a do-or-die clash for us – we have to take the two points this week. We can’t afford to keep losing in our own building.

“We have had a horrible start to the season and now it’s time to show everyone what this team can do.

“Newcastle play a similar style to us, so I expect a highly-charged game with plenty of action and a win – that is the bottom line.”

On Sunday night, the Bison will take on the Manchester Phoenix in their Altrincham home, hoping to avenge a narrow 4-3 defeat on home ice.

Aldridge said: “They have a lot of depth in their line-up, but their rink is the same size as Cardiff’s, where we won in the cup, so I think we will do well there and get something out of the game.”