I’ve been talking in my diary for the last few weeks about the need to get off to a good start and not put ourselves on the back foot.

We did this, home and away, last weekend.

I think we produced about 90 minutes of good hockey so, from that perspective, we made a step forward from our previous performances.

Of course, an 8-3 defeat in Manchester doesn’t make a good headline, but it reflects merely how we unravelled in the third period. We should not lose sight of the standard of hockey we produced in the first two periods.

It also doesn’t point to the gutsy performance of some of our guys who played through injuries and illness.

When Miroslav Vantroba was badly cut a few games ago, he insisted on getting back on the ice as soon as possible wearing a face cage.

He continues to put in outstanding performances as one of the most gifted defenders in the league. Joe Rand insisted on travelling to Manchester and played his usual gutsy part, despite a chest infection.

Matt Selby continues to work through the protocol that all young players have to follow after a head injury.

He’s in the care of the Great Britain medical team who I am sure will make the best decisions for his long-term career. Of course we look forward to his return, but at the right time.

We’ve been as busy off the ice as on it.

A number of players took part in Zizzi’s Stand Up To Cancer evening. They served food and drink so well that they’ve been asked back in the new year.

We have also published our development plan laying out how Bison supports young players who take up the sport.

Basingstoke is an ice hockey town and we’re proud to watch our young local players develop.