THE BASINGSTOKE Bison start 2017 with a tough road double header at Guildford and Milton Keynes.

The Herd’s form away from their home barn has not been good this season so both games will form a stiff test for the team.

They also come into the weekend losing their last away game at Swindon 3-1.

First up is a trip to the Spectrum to face the Guildford Flames on New Year’s Day (4pm).

The Surrey side have beaten the Bison in all three league games so far this campaign including a 5-1 win on home ice in October.

The Flames who are sixth in the table, three places below the Herd, look to be on fire at the moment having reeled off four straight wins and would love to take the Bison scalp to win the league series.

On Monday evening (6pm) the Bison head to Milton Keynes to face the second placed Lightning and all games this season have been close affairs.

When the Bison were last at MK they lost 2-0 which was part of a seven game winning run for the Lightning which was ended on Boxing Day by their arch local rivals the Peterborough Phantoms.

Needless to say the title chasers gained quick revenge in Cambridgeshire 24 hours later with a 5-0 success.

The Bison will be without Joe Rand for both games he returns for their next home game against Peterborough, while Joe Miller injured in the first period against Swindon on Boxing Day, could be back.

Looking ahead to a road double header Bison head coach Doug Sheppard said: “Both games are tough, but if we play as well as we can we do not fear anyone and can win anywhere.”