WE WANT to win the league – that’s the mission statement of Basingstoke Bison player/coach Doug Sheppard as the Herd prepare to build on last season’s double-|winning success.

The Bison are determined not to be the English Premier League bridesmaids for the third year running, and have their sights set on winning the only trophy that eluded them last year.

The Herd celebrated their 25th anniversary season in fine style last season, by winning the EPL Cup and Play-off crown.

Most of the double-winning Herd side have returned for the new campaign, and they are determined to lift more silverware this season, with the league crown being the main goal.

Sheppard said: “We don’t want to be the bridesmaids any more.

“We have unfinished business and want to win the league title for the Bison fans. I know this is why so many of the guys returned.”

This season, they open their EPL campaign at home to the much-improved Peterborough Phantoms at the Basingstoke Arena on Saturday night (face-off 6.30pm).

The Herd will be looking to make a winning start against a side who have historically not found Basingstoke a happy hunting ground.

However, they are much improved from last season with three new imports and their new Latvian netminder Janis Auzins has been receiving rave reviews.

Bison player/coach Sheppard is sure his chargers are up for the challenge and, after their excellent 6-2 victory over one of the title favourites Guildford Flames last Sunday, the mood in the camp is very good.

Looking forward to the Peterborough game, the Bison boss said: “They have improved from last year and everyone is talking about their goaltender so we know it is going to be tough.”

On Sunday night the Bison open their English Challenge Cup campaign with a road trip to Chelmsford Chieftains (face-off 6.30pm).

The Essex side are the current champions from the league below the Bison and this season their head coach is former Bison favourite Dwayne Newman.

Chelmsford play in a league with a limit of two imports and therefore the Bison can only ice two of their foreign legion against the Chieftains. They only have three to choose from as Sheppard is not allowed to ice as no player/coaches can do so in the competition.

With two players missing, the Bison have added talented teenager Hallam Wilson to the team for the trip to Essex. Looking ahead to the season Sheppard said: “It is going to a competitive league once again, but I believe a few teams will break away at the top.

“We want to be part of that top group.”

“I am very happy with the team we have and I know a lot of players had offers to go elsewhere, but have returned.”

The Bison boss is excited about his young Brits and said: “Cam (Cameron Wynn) and Moggy (Stuart Mogg) have really come on and once Muzzy (Michael Wales) returns, I see no reason why we cannot roll with four lines, which is really going to help us keep up the intensity for a full 60 minutes.

“I am looking forward to an exciting season.”