THE Basingstoke Bison open their English Premier League campaign with a mouth-watering clash against local rivals the Guildford Flames on Saturday.

A bumper crowd is expected at the Basingstoke Arena as the sides start their quest for the league crown (6.30pm).

Adding extra spice to the encounter is the fact the visitors will be out avenge last weekend’s pre-season double-header delight for the Herd, who beat Guildford both home and away.

Last season, the Flames finished second behind champions Telford, with the Bison in third, just three points behind.

Looking ahead to the league opener, Bison head coach Doug Sheppard said: “We want to get our campaign off to a good start and once again this league has improved over summer. It means as a team we have to turn up to play every night otherwise we are going to get beaten.”

The Herd’s second game of the weekend is away at play-off champions Peterborough Phantoms on Sunday evening (6pm).

Last weekend, the Herd skated away to two wins over the Flames and in the first game Alan Lack (pictured below) celebrated signing for the Bison by scoring the opening goal.

Basingstoke Gazette:

The 23-year-old forward had originally signed on a two-way deal and certainly brings something different to the team with his hard-hitting approach.

This is why Bison boss Doug Sheppard is really pleased to have signed him, saying: “I was impressed with what I saw from Alan (Lack) in our first pre-season game and knew we needed to sign him. He is an energy player that makes things happen and has also given us more depth.”

Lack is no stranger to the EPL, having played for Bracknell, Slough and last season for the Herd’s Sunday night opponents Peterborough.

For Saturday’s visit of the Guildford Flames the Bison are expected to welcome back Ciaran Long (suspension) and Joe Greener (injury).

The Herd may also include some of the two-way players they used in pre-season.

Sheppard has been pleased with all of his summer signings, netminder Tomas Hiadlovsky and forwards Shaun Thompson, JJ Pitchley and Ralf Circenis.

The Bison boss said: “They have all played well during the pre-season games and I am pleased with what I have seen so far.

“Everything is looking very promising as the mood in the camp is good ahead of the start of the campaign.”

Big-spending Telford will be favourites to defend the league title they won last season, but Sheppard believes that the standard will be higher in general.

This year the cup competition returns to the format in which the Bison were triumphant in 2014, as the first meeting between each team home and away will count towards the group standings, with the top four sides progressing to the semi-finals.

Sheppard said: “I prefer this format, it is so much better, but it makes it even more important to make sure you get to a good start.

“We know Guildford and Peterborough are both good teams, but having home advantage backed by our excellent fans we will hope to start with a win.

“Peterborough is always a tough place to go to, but we had success there last season.”