When I first came to Basingstoke, I can remember Mark Bernard frequently discussing with the fans whether we could get a big crowd out to watch ice hockey on a Sunday evening.

He would have been lost for words if he’d seen the numbers who turned out for our last league game of the season last Sunday.

We wanted to set ourselves up with a strong performance before going in to the play-offs and put 14 shots on the Swindon goal to their one in the first period.

Our win meant we play Swindon away, and at home this weekend and I am sure the rink will be packed again this Sunday.

There’s a special atmosphere to play-off games, when winning four games can bring you the title.

We have come up just short in the league and the cup. This is our last chance to go the whole way and lift a trophy.

We’ll be playing without our two young GB Under-18 internationals, Matt Selby and Cameron Wynn, who will be representing their country in Estonia. It is very satisfying to see the progress they have made, and Cameron’s first goal in a Bison shirt brought everyone to their feet last Sunday.

His pleasure was shared by everyone, all the more so when he collected the man-of-the-match award and the team stood back as he circled the rink on his own to take the congratulations of the fans.

Given our injuries this season – and we’re still without Kurt Reynolds, Jacob Corson Heron and Andy Melachrino – we’ve all had to dig deep to maintain our success.

It’s been a steep learning curve for the younger players and they’ve risen to the challenge with the support and encouragement of their team-mates and the fans.

See you Sunday.

Doug.