WINNING is a habit the Basingstoke Bison want to continue after chalking up their first victory of the season in Cardiff on Sunday night.

Netminder Kevin Reiter (pictured right) inspired his team to a 4-3 success in Wales, one night after the Herd suffered an embarrassing 7-2 reverse against the same opposition on home ice.

Now with a win under their belts, the Bison will be hunting more points this weekend when they travel to Coventry on Saturday before entertaining Belfast Giants on Sunday (6pm).

Fans' favourite Eric Braff, who missed last weekend with an ankle injury, was back skating this week so, hopefully, he will be back in the line-up.

The Bison will wait to see if there is any further punishment for Brad Cruikshank and Curtiss Patrick after their match penalties last Saturday.

Both players have already served their obligatory one-game suspension so should be free to play - if no additional punishment is handed out.

Basingstoke played Coventry twice on the opening weekend of the season and suffered a 4-2 home loss and then an 8-2 defeat at the Skydome.

Since then, the Bison ranks have been strengthened with a number of imports, so those results will count for little this coming weekend.

Head coach Ryan Aldridge said: "We have a much stronger team now and we will look to keep it simple, as we did in Cardiff, and look to get something out of the game."

On Sunday, Belfast, under the charge of former Bison assistant coach Steve Thornton, are in Hampshire, but Thornton could well miss the match.

His stick hit Newcastle's Andre Payette in the head in last Sunday's match and the Vipers have asked the league to review the incident.

Aldridge said: "Belfast, I think, are the best team in the league. Their passing is second to none, but we are at home and so will be looking for the win."

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Last Sunday in Cardiff, in their second Challenge Cup group game, a depleted Herd were weakened further when Jeremy Cornish was dismissed for butt-ending Mike Prpich in the 12th minute.

By then, the Bison led 2-1, thanks to goals from Brent Hughes and Danny Stewart - his first of the season either side of a Prpich strike.

The second period saw the Devils outshoot the Bison 21-6, but they had only two goals - from Jason Silverthorn and Derek Campbell - to show for it.

Man-of-the-match Reiter continued his excellent form in the last session as he repelled every one of the 13 shots he faced and it was left to Stewart to bag the game winner at 55:53 for a memorable victory.

Basingstoke, Cardiff and Coventry now jointly top the group - all on two points from two games, with Hull and Nottingham having yet to play.

Cardiff will look to avenge this defeat on Wednesday, when the teams meet again, this time in the Elite League.

Scoring, Devils: Silverthorn 1+1; Prpich, Campbell 1+0; Rod Hinks 0+1; Bison: Stewart 2+1; Read 1+3; Hughes 1+2; Bowers, Chambers 0+1. Shots on goal: Aubry 23, Reiter 51. Penalties: Devils 18min, Bison 31.

l The Basingstoke Bison Supporters Club start their 100 Club this weekend and it will run until the last game of the season in March.

The £20-a-month fee earns members of the club a limited-edition t-shirt with their own number on the back, a keyring and a signed framed team photograph.

If you would like to keep the same number as last year, it will be available until October 11. The first draw will take place on October 25.

Prizes will be announced once numbers are confirmed.

The club will be holding a quiz night at Q's bar on Wednesday, October 8. Arrive at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

Teams can be made up of four to five people. Each team will have a Bison player to help on the evening. The cost is £4.50 for non-members and £3.50 for members.

Sunday's game provides the last opportunity to renew supporters club membership. After that new membership fees will apply.