BASINGSTOKE Bison boss Doug Sheppard wants his side to make their home rink a fortress from now until the play-offs in April.

He wants the Herd to make it a place teams fear to come to and this starts with the visit of the Peterborough Phantoms on Saturday (6.30pm).

They are one of three sides to have won in Basingstoke this season, when they won after a penalty shoot-out back in September, but then lost on their last visit.

A run of one loss in their last six games has helped the Phantoms to third spot in the English Premier League table, three points and two places above the Bison.

In between the two teams are the Hull Pirates, who like the Bison have 40 points, but from one fewer game.

The Herd will welcome back import forward Joe Rand for the contest, but Joe Miller, who has missed the last three games remains a doubt.

Looking ahead to the first game on home ice of 2017, Bison head coach Sheppard said: “We want teams to fear coming in our building and make sure no one gets an easy ride here. I am looking for us to make full use of home advantage and build a run of results from it.”

On Sunday, the Bison are on their travels again for a derby clash at the Bracknell Bees.

The Herd will be looking to maintain their 100 per cent record over their arch rivals Berkshire side this season and record win number five.

However, these games are never easy for the Herd especially at the Hive and Sheppard is fully aware of this and said: “Bracknell are always up for these games and are really looking to see if they can take that eighth spot. This is not going to be an easy game if we fail to turn up.”