THE Basingstoke Bison booked their place in this season’s play-offs, despite losing both their games at the weekend against the table topping Telford Tigers.

This was because the Raiders suffered the same fate and are now 12 points behind the Herd with only five games left to play, meaning the Bison are assured of a top eight finish.

The Herd have just one game this weekend, when they entertain the Peterborough Phantoms on Saturday (6.30pm).

The visitors are currently sixth in the table four points clear of the Bison in seventh, having played one less game.

A loss for the Herd will end any faint chance they have of moving up the standings.

Bison player/coach Ashley Tait talking about the 4-1 and 5-4 losses to Telford said: “In Saturday’s game I felt the disallowed goal should have stood, which would have given us a 2-1 lead. Instead we went down 2-1 and were then forced to chase the game.

“On Sunday we did not start playing until the 20 minute mark. We came back strongly and had three really good chances in the final period, but could not take them to tie the game.”

Tait added: “It is great to make the play-offs. We still want to finish as high as we can in the table and to stand any chance of doing this we must beat Peterborough on Saturday.”

Bison fans wanting to watch some ice hockey on Sunday can do so in Basingstoke when the under-16 Bison take on Streatham which starts at 4.30pm.