NETMINDER Dan Weller-Evans enjoyed a great debut for Basingstoke Bison, as he back stopped his side to a 9-1 victory over his former club the visiting Wightlink Raiders, in the British Challenge Cup.

The home side rested Doug Sheppard, Tomas Karpov, Michael Wales, Kurt Reynolds, Joe Baird and Nicky Chinn.

On the plus side, defenceman Matt Selby returned from injury and Buffalo teenage forward Hallam Wilson, was added to the line-up for his home debut.

The youngster stepped onto the ice for his first-ever home shift and within seconds the Bison scored from former Wightlink player Joe Rand at 5:50.

The advantage was doubled at 10 minutes exactly, as Rand and Aaron Connolly combined for another former Raider Grant Rounding to score.

The home side continued to dominate and Ciaran Long was denied by his brother Shannon Long in the Raiders net, while Wilson fired just wide.

Weller-Evans then produced the save of the night with a point blank stop to deny Jaroslav Cesky from close range.

On the first powerplay of the night, Wightlink scored their only goal of the contest, as their man-of-the-match Craig Tribe scored from close range.

The second period saw a goal feast for the home side, as they scored six times without reply.

Joe Greener scored the first as he netted a Miroslav Vantroba rebound and then Rand fired into the roof of the night after good work from Rounding.

The Herd’s only powerplay of the night, saw Cameron Wynn, who had an excellent game, rewarded with his first goal of the season, from a lovely back hand finish.

Another great team goal, saw Brendan Baird who had an impressive weekend, start a move which saw Andy Melachrino score.

A great solo strike from man-of-the-match Rounding made it 7-1 and then Raiders netminder Long was very unlucky with the eighth goal, as his older brothers’ shot came off his pads and rolled into the net.

For the start of the final 20 minutes, former Bison goalie Matt Colclough took over in the Wightlink net and in a more even session, there was just one goal as Rand completed his hat-trick.

The home side had other chances with Wilson, Stuart Mogg and Alex Sampford forcing the visiting goalie into saves.

Meanwhile at the other end, Cesky and Tribe also went close, but Weller-Evans denied them.

This weekend, the Bison have a massive weekend as they entertain league leaders Telford Tigers on Saturday (face-off 6.30pm), before a trip to second placed Peterborough Phantams on Sunday.