BASINGSTOKE Bison suffered a 7-4 defeat at Sheffield Steeldogs, as returning import Janis Ozolins immediately formed a lethal partnership with Jeff Legue, who netted a hat-trick.
The home side won the first period 3-0 as Legue, Craig Elliott and Lloyd Gibson all scored.
The Bison gave themselves a lifeline, as Ciaran Long scored assisted by Andy Melachrino and Kurt Reynolds.
Despite the visitors out-shooting the Steeldogs 24-9, the only other goal came from home defenceman Ben Morgan, who made it 4-1 at the second buzzer.
The Herd had a great start to the final period as Tomas Karpov scored on the powerplay after 43 seconds and then Nicky Chinn netted from Grant Rounding to make it 4-3 at 42:37.
Legue got his second of the night to increase the lead and he then completed his hat-trick shorthanded at 53:20.
The game as a contest was ended two minutes later, when Chinn was dismissed after he received a match penalty for checking to the head.
Ozolins capped his return to Steeldogs line-up with a powerplay strike and then the Bison’s Joe Greener completed the scoring with a shorthanded marker 17 seconds before the final buzzer.
The Bison will look to get back to winning ways this weekend, with a trip to Bracknell on Saturday followed by a home game against Guildford the following night.
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