THE Basingstoke Bison will be hoping to book their place in the English Premier League Cup semi-finals this weekend - if they take maximum points.

Standing in their way is a visit Sheffield Steeldogs on Saturday night (6.30pm), followed by a trip to the Spectrum to face the Guildford Flames on Sunday evening (6pm).

The Herd are currently third with the top four teams qualifying for the semi-finals. This is a trophy the Bison have won in the past and would love to win it back.

As well as counting toward the cup standings both games this weekend also count towards the league, which the Bison are currently second equal on points with leaders Milton Keynes with two games in hand.

They Herd are enjoying a great winning streak at home which they extended last weekend with a comfortable win over the Manchester Phoenix 4-1. This was before losing away at Swindon 4-3 in overtime, where powerplay goals cost the Bison dear.

Talking about the weekend, Bison head coach Doug Sheppard said: “We are playing well at moment, but we have to make sure we stay out of the sin bin as that cost us dear in Swindon.

“We cannot expect to keep taking penalties and killing them off.”

The Bison have already face the Sheffield Steeldogs this season away in Yorkshire, where they won a narrow encounter 3-2.

There squad is made up of good local talent and they have some good imports with forwards Stanislav Lascek, Arnoldas Bosas, Lubomir Korhon and netminder Dalibor Sedlar.

Lascek missed the last game between these sides in which Bison captain Aaron Connolly scored the game winner with the only goal of the final period.

The Steeldogs still head the penalty charts this year, even if the league top sinner Andre Payette has left and joined Whitley.

Looking ahead to the Sheffield game at the Basingstoke Arena, Sheppard said: “We have already played them this season and we know they are hard working team.

There forwards can put the puck in the net. They also have an excellent goaltender so it is not going to be an easy game.

“I want us to come out and score early one as we failed to do this in recent weeks, even if we are creating loads of chances. "We seem to fall behind always gives your opponents a lift.”

On Sunday night, the Bison have their first trip in the league and cup to Guildford.

They have already beaten the Flames twice at home, the first time in overtime, the second 5-3.

Guildford are in a bit of slump at the moment with just one win in their last four games, but derby battles between these local rivals are always close.

Sheppard expects the same on Sunday and said: "Guildford are a good team and it will be very tough playing in their barn, but I hope we can get a result.