Bison sign off for Christmas with Steeldogs clash (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Bison sign off for Christmas with Steeldogs clash

8:00am Thursday 8th December 2011 in Ice Hockey By Graham Merry

THE BASINGSTOKE Bison entertain the Sheffield Steeldogs in their final game before Christmas on Saturday.

The Herd beat their Yorkshire rivals when they were last in town and will be looking to do it again in a game which has a 6.30pm face-off.

The Bison will be minus Liam Chong, who is away on Great Britain under-20 duty, while Chris Sykes and Andy Hirst will likewise being missing for the Steeldogs.

Looking ahead to the game, Bison player/coach Steve Moria said: “It is going to be a fast and very aggressive game.

“Sheffield are sure to come at us from the start.

“We have to be ready for what is going to be a battle.”

Moria has pin pointed the league’s top points scorer Janis Ozolins and netminder Ben Bowns as the Steeldogs key players.

Moria said: “Ozolins is the most skilful player in this league and if you allow him some rope he will make us pay.

“And Bowns is a player who can win games for his team.”