Basingstoke Bison 4-4 Coventry Blaze

[Rich]

For anybody that doesn't know the final score was 4-4. We were 4-2 up at one point so its a bit disapointing but it was important we didn't lose tonight and we didn't. If we can get the win against Belfast tommorow night I think it will have been a prety good opening weekend to the season. I am looking forward to hearing and reading the comments from people that went to tonights game.

[PW]

A brief, somewhat potted match report:

The game started quietly. For exactly four seconds, the time it took for Payette and Jeff Ewasko's gloves to hit the ice-they went at it hammer and tongs, Andre getting in one beautiful right-hand before Ewasko used his superior, 6'7 reach to hold Andre off and then force him to the ice. Jeff Corey was introduced to the Silverdome boards by former resident Doug Schueller-the ferocity of the Blaze man's clean, full-whack hit drawing gasps from the crowd. Minutes later it was 1-0 Bison as Doug Sheppard was left to skate in unmolested, despite Mihalik being in close attendance, and stick the puck through Jody's five-hole. Shots from Maltby, Sheppard again and Galway were saved before Tait finished high past Vogel-Ewasko in the meantime having run from Schlender after the Blaze man sought retribution for a vicious check from behind. Payette spent most of the first in the box, it seemed, as referee Andy Carson took exception to his style of play-Blaze's second was after one of these penalties and was a shorthanded peach as Dan Carlson skated hard out of his own end, being left alone by Mike Ford and Owen Walter before punishing them both by beating Vogel, before Shawn Maltby equalised on the breakway with a fine finish after Schueller had given up the puck.
Period 2 was all Blaze-Neal Martin having an impressive debut with his vision and passing, and then gaining an assist as his blue-line shot was deflected by Poirier for 3-2, and then Schlender finished hard and low on Vogel's stick-side for 4-2-at this point the Blaze looked to have the Bison panicked. Ewasko was lumbering around the ice attempting to hit anything that moved, and mostly failing-although he got as good as he gave from Neal Martin, who put him on his backside-the American went nowhere near the Blaze Canadian for the rest of the game. Maltby, however, nicked his second at the end of the period, for 4-3.
Period 3 was the worst of the 3, although Ewasko went for Calder, who refused to back down-the linesmen getting in the way before anything could begin. There was only one goal, and it came for the Bison, Owen Walter firing home off the post from the blue-line. The Blaze ended normal time shorthanded after Schlender went for Ewasko and was binned for roughing.
Overtime was relatively quiet-Vogel making an awesome pad-save from Carlson, and Lukac nearly sneaking the puck past Lehman, but the clock wound down with the Blaze camped in the opposition zone yet unable to score-a good opening performance earning Maltby the Bison MoM, and Tait the Blaze. The fans, however, were purring over Neal Martin-he looks awesome...

[dave92]

Sounds like a wicked game!

[rickmayallfan]

well cardiff thought payette was bad wait till they get jeff "man beast " ewasko as he didn't apear to play hockey to much he tapped it with his stick but seemed to spend most his time lurching round atacking people

[JAC]

How on earth the Blaze failed to win the game is beyond me, they were the better team and dominated the play especially in the 2nd half of the game, but failed to convert the chances.

Just to correct what Wheeler has said - 1st Goal was short handed from Tait and was an absolute peach of a goal. 2nd was a 5 on 3 PP tally by Carlson.

Carsons reffing was less than impressive
How Bisons 4th goal was allowed to stand is a mystery, as having already whistled down play twice when Payette had gone into the crease he had set the standard. But after a bit of a melee in front of the net finally cleared to the blue line, he managed to miss the bison player clearly in the crease when the shot came in, and the other one stood close (possibly in crease not totally sure). Along with 1 blaze player it gave Jody no room to get up and get set for the shot.

Neal Martin did look very good, couple of errors, one that lead to a goal, but hopefully they will disappear as he settles in.

The fight never got going they squared up danced around a bit then Payette threw a punch that missed went off balance and Ewasko landed a ouple of half hits before losing balance and falling on top of Payette, they then scuffled briefly on the fice before they were split up.

Final word goes to the basingstoke goal judge who in the 2nd period managed to count 27 shots on goal for the blaze. Either they need to learn what a shot on goal is or they are seeing double.

[King Rich]

Seems like instead of a 2nd-period-dip like most games last season... it's happening in the 3rd period so far this season...

[JAC]

Forgot to add I was very impressed with Ron Vogel. He looked a bit iffy at first but once he settled was superb. Couple of times I was already to cheer what looked like it would be a goal and he managed to make the save. Bison look like they have a very good replacement for Cruickshank.

[JP]

Last nights game was full of excitement, great way to kick-off the new season. I was very impressed with Tait last night, he was the well-deserved MOM. I was a little disapointed with the fight, it lasted a matter of seconds-even though they squared off as if it was gonna be a good long battle-oh well i'm sure Payette will get him in round two at the Skydome:) Agree with comments on Ewasko, he was a lanky goon to be quite honest (wasn't playing hockey at all) Blaze could have worked the PP's a little better, the amount they had they should have capitalised with a few goals-they just couldn't shoot the puck (Great passing though) I think both teams played equally well, Bison are looking a hell of a lot better than last season (pretty good on the offence)

I'm looking forward to tonights game againt the Belfast Giants, if last nights result is anything to go by (This should be a tough game) after Giants shut the Steelers out and won 3-0. A three point weekend would be excellent, come on Blaze!!