THE Basingstoke Bison season may not have finished the way the Herd would have liked, with a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out loss in the play-off semi-finals.

However, looking back on the campaign the Herd can hold their heads up high after ending 23 years of hurt with the league crown.

Bison head coach Doug Sheppard said: "It was a disappointing way to end the season, but the guys gave their all and I felt we did all we could.

"We were the best team over 54 games and that cannot be taken away from us and we will enjoy remembering that during the summer."

Sheppard is now looking to plot back-to-back league championship wins and said: "It is going to tough as it always is to win it again, but that will be the aim.

" We already know Joe Greener will not be with us next season. So the dynamic of the team is sure to change. It is certainly going to be a busy time again in the summer."

Bison fans will be able to see some of their league championship winning side in action again at the end of the month in a special charity game against the Buffalo.

Ciaran Long, Greener, Tomas Karpov, Joe Rand, Doug Sheppard, Grant Rounding, Dan Weller-Evans and Daniel Lackey have all be confirmed as taking part in the game on Saturday April 30 (6.30pm).

For more details see the Bison&Buffalo Hockey Hugs for Cancer Facebook page.