FRIDAY night ice hockey will come to the Basingstoke Arena tonight, with the Bison taking on local rivals the Guildford Flames (7.30pm).

The game is the first of three fixtures that will be played on a Friday night this season, as the Herd look to cut the number of home games they play on a Sunday.

It is hoped that the change will be beneficial to the club's young supporters, who may not be able to attend Sunday games due to having to get up for school the next day.

Bison head coach Doug Sheppard is looking forward to the first Friday night game, and is expecting a raucous atmosphere for the visit of the Flames.

"The fans seem to be excited about it and we are as well," he said. "It's something that has not been done very often, if at all, in the past and it's great to be playing a local derby first up.

"We could not ask for a better game to have on our first Friday night. Games against Guildford normally mean big crowds and we are looking forward to it.

"We get our best crowds on Saturdays, but I think ticket sales are going well and it should be a good atmosphere with Guildford in town.

"A lot of the guys have families as well as work and ice hockey, so it will be good for them to have a rest day on Sunday. They have worked hard so far this season and earned it."