THE Basingstoke Bison will end 2015 top of the English Premier League after they beat arch rivals the Guildford Flames 5-4 in overtime.

It completed a magnificent three wins in three days over the festive period for the Herd and their last victory was done the hard way coming back from 4-2 down.

The Bison got off to a great start at the Spectrum as Aaron Connolly scored a powerplay goal in the first three minutes.

The advantage was doubled by Joe Greener and it remained that way to the first buzzer.

The second session saw the Flames hit back as their man of the match Matic Kralj scored at 22:09 and again at 24:48, this time on the powerplay to tie the game.

The Surrey side then took lead on their next powerplay as Janis Ozolins netted.

Matt Towe made it 4-2 at 35:40 and suddenly the home side were in pole position for the win.

Player/coach Doug Sheppard with an unassisted strike kept his side in the game as at the second buzzer the Flames led 4-3.

The final 20 minutes saw both sides have then chances, but the only player to score was Bison man of the match Rene Jarolin at 58:26.

With the scores level the game went into sudden death overtime and the Bison won the game thanks to Joe Greener’s strike 48 seconds into the extra period.

The Bison have a huge weekend coming up as they take on second placed Peterborough Phantoms on Saturday at home (6.30pm) and then away in Cambridgeshire on Sunday (5.30pm).

The Phantoms lost both their games over the festive period to Milton Keynes Lightning, but they are the only side this season to have won in Basingstoke.