BASINGSTOKE Bison maintained their excellent home form, with a 4-1 victory over the visiting Chelmsford Chieftains in the English Challenge Cup.

The Herd had a reshuffled their team with Doug Sheppard, Miroslav Vantroba, Matt Selby, Michael Wales and Kurt Reynolds all missing.

On the plus side, new signing Ricky Skene was in the line-up, as part of a four-man D unit, which saw Brendan Baird partner his older brother Joe on the blue line.

Two Buffalo forwards Alex Sampford and Ryan Sutton were added, which allowed the Herd to ice four forward lines.

Sampford slotted into Sheppard spot alongside Joe Greener and Ciaran Long, while Sutton joined Cameron Wynn and Stuart Mogg and both players did not disappoint.

In an even opening 20 minutes, a superb defence splitting pass from the impressive Julian Smith, allowed Ross Brears to break clear, and he produced a super finish for the opening goal at 8:47.

The home side went looking for an equaliser, but found Chelmsford man-of-the-match netminder Ben Clements in good form and the lively Brandon Aycliff, nearly added a second for the Chieftains.

It was left to Bison’s man-of-the-match Aaron Connolly to tie the game at 16:49, in a very entertaining first 20 minutes.

The second session, saw a very tame tripping call on Aycliff, give the Bison their first powerplay of the night and they took them 12 seconds to convert it, as Joe Baird’s shot hit the roof of the net.

The Herd came looking for a third goal and a lovely lay off from Andy Melachrino back in the line-up from injury, saw Tomas Karpov’s shot gloved over.

At 33:34, it did become 3-1, as Ciaran Long scored with a rocket shot after nice spade work from Joe Greener.

The final session, saw a lot more chances and the young Bison Brit line went close, as Sutton and Wynn combine for Mogg to be denied with a back hand chance.

The Bison then make the most of a double powerplay, as Long grabbed his second goal of the night at 46:57.

Tempers then boiled over as Martin Piecha took his frustration out with a couple of cross checks on Grant Rounding on the ice. Skene was quick to jump in to calm the situation.

Then on a late Chieftains powerplay a lovely shorthanded play saw Karpov feed Melachino, but Clements was equal to it with a pad save.

Tonight, the Bison are at home again, when the Wightlink Raiders are the visitors in the same competition. The face-off for the game is 5.30pm.