Pitbulls Miss Out On The Points In Basingstoke

By Xanthe Boursier-Gazzard

Last night the Bristol Drive North Pitbulls fell to a 3-2 loss against the Basingstoke Bison on the road after the home team took an early lead in the first period that they were able to maintain throughout the game.

It was Luke Spadafora that got the early start for the Bison, flicking the puck backhanded into the net from Brendan Sellan’s pass to open the scoring. John Dunbar followed this with a chance; however, it was denied by the glove of Max Wright, leaving the puck to trail back up to the Bisons’ offensive zone. The Pitbulls got their first chance on the power play as Sellan received a slashing call; however, the away side were unable to generate a goal from this, allowing the penalty to be killed. Both Jake Bricknell and Reece Cochrane made their attempts on net in the final five minutes of the period before Sellan could extend the home side’s lead to two, sweeping the puck past Tommy Nappier. The visitors were able to lower the deficit back to one before the first period could come to an end, with Sam Smith putting them on the board just thirty seconds after the Bison’s second goal.

Spadafora was once again early to get the home side a goal in the second period; with just 51 seconds down on the clock, he gained possession of the puck from Josh Batch and launched it past the reach of Nappier to extend the lead and restore their two-goal cushion. Both Owen Smetham and John Dunbar had close attempts on net; however, Wright held under pressure, leaving the scoreline at 3-1 heading into the final period.

The home team was awarded a penalty shot in the final twenty minutes off the back of a tripping call; however, Nappier denied George Norcliffe the opportunity of a fourth goal, leaving the scoreline as it was. Bricknell was able to give the Pitbulls their second goal minutes later, taking the pass from Calum McGill and pushing it past Wright. Following this, Tanner Butler received an interference call, leaving the Pitbulls on the penalty kill for the final two minutes, resulting in the scoreline being 3-2 in favour of the Bison.

Man of the Match for Basingstoke went to two-time goal scorer Luke Spadafora and to Tommy Nappier for your Bristol Pitbulls.