Season Preview: Basingstoke Bison
August 23rd, 2007This summer may already feel like winter but it’s not quite hockey time yet. However, with the season only a few weeks away and without knowing how much blogging time I will have I guess it’s about time to look into the season and preview each othe teams with as much knowledge as I actually have of them anyway! First up its the Herd:
THE VIEW
What to expect:
Basingstoke is a hard team to figure out. Each year they put together a team that you think could very well put in an excellent season only for them to come up short and end up fighting to make it into the playoffs. One thing is for sure, they are a consistent team, consistently seventh. Saying that though, their wins in the season went up by 13 - over double the year before. They aren’t going to win the league but they are going to be a factor in that they will take points off every team at some point in the season. They did after all have a winning record against the Giants.
Key Player:
Steve Thornton: Who else? Those who followed the Giants back in 2003 will remember exactly who Steve Thornton was. He came in mid-season and helped guide us to our one and only playoff championship and then left to play in mainland Europe. One of the best players in the league that year he hasn’t returned since and a few eyebrows were raised when Basingstoke announced he would be playing for them this year. He instantly makes them an offensive threat.
Odds for the Gambler:
20 to 1: The Bison make it to the final four this April.
10 to 1: To continue their winning record over the Giants.
150,000 to 1: On a Grand Slam.
If they where an NHL team they would be the:
Columbus Blue Jackets - A smaller market team that each year we believe will be their year to burst upon the playoff scene, but so far it’s failed to happen.
A Prediction that means nothing: 6th
STATS AND FACTS
Previous 3 seasons:
04-05: 7th in Elite League with 15 wins and 30 defeats.
05-06: 7th in Elite League with 10 wins and 30 defeats.
06-07: 7th in Elite League with 23 wins and 25 defeats.
06-07 vs Giants (W-L-T): 5-3-0
In 28 games against the Bison in their history the Giants have won 15, lost 7, tied 6 with 2 defeats in overtime. They have scored 124 goals and let in 70.
ON THE WEB
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