AFTER last week’s cracking league opener with Peterborough Phantoms another great game is in prospect on Saturday night when the top teams from last season clash for the first time in this campaign.

The reigning league champions Manchester Phoenix are the visitors to Basingstoke on Saturday, for a game which has a 6.30pm face- off.

This will be a stiff test for the Herd as their title rivals have almost all their championship squad back and have added top British forward Shaun Thompson to their line- up.

Looking ahead to the game Bison player/coach Doug Sheppard said: “I think they are stronger than last year and we will have to make sure we are switched on for the whole 60 minutes.

“If we give away odd man rushes or lose the puck cheaply, they have the firepower to punish you, so we have to have a strong defensive game.”

On Sunday night (face- off 5.30pm) the Bison face a trip to Peterborough, just eight days after the bench clearance in Basingstoke.

However, the Herd will go there looking to take another two league points in a rink which is not their happiest hunting ground.

Sheppard said: “I don’t think things will boil over again. Our aim as it is in all games is to get the two points.

“They are a good hockey team and always play well on their home ice and they will make it tough for us.”