MATCH REPORT | BISON FIGHT BACK TO TAKE FIRST WIN OF 2026

It was a close first half of the opening period - with the Phantoms’ top line looking to extend its fine form into 2026. A stretch pass from Janne Laakkonen set-up an effort from Luke Ferrara, which was saved by Max Wright. Wright reacted well, again, when Ferrara weaved his way through the Bison defence and ripped an effort on net.

The Bison looked to find the opening goal from Hayden Lavigne’s doorstep - with both Alex Sampford and Adam Harding seeing scrappy efforts denied by the Phantoms goaltender.

It was Sampford who saw the ice open up in front of him next - breaking against Joe Gretton. A good block from Gretton was supported by some tidy coverage from Lavigne, keeping the score level.

The visitors broke the deadlock halfway into the first period - with the in-form Cam Hough becoming the willing recipient of a Brad Bowering rebound, converting at 09:53 for 0-1.

A Gretton penalty for interference - less than a minute later - was well killed by the Phantoms, before some heavy hits from Harding went unpunished.

With a Tom Relf effort denied - and a Will Stead follow-up blocked, the period ended with the Phantoms a goal ahead.

The middle frame opened in a similar tone to the first. A Bison breakaway, led by Sampford, was broken up - leading to a counter attack from the visitors. With Sari away down the wing, Hough awaited a pass in the centre - his effort being well-saved by Wright.

It was the home side who struck next, with Brendan Sellan firing home a rebounded Brendan Baird effort to equalise at 24:01.

A couple of breakaway attempts from the Phantoms were wide - before captain Ferrara saw an effort drop just wide.

The next shift proved more fruitful for the Phantoms - with the red-hot Cam Hough firing home his seventh goal in two games after a bouncing puck was turned over to Janne Laakkonen at 29:21.

After a solid penalty kill saw to a Baird hooking penalty, it was the Bison who were next to score. Adam Harding finished well past Lavigne following some good set-up play by Alex Sampford - equalising on a delayed penalty at 39:34, following a high-sticking call on Billy Thorpe.

The final frame was less positive for the Phantoms. An early interference penalty for Barni Sari saw the Phantoms penalty kill back in action at 42:51. The visitors were further hindered by a second interference penalty at 44:21 - with Thorpe’s trip to the box reducing his side to a two-man disadvantage.

The Bison capitalised on the 5-on-3 powerplay - with Luke Spadafora firing home a dummied Zak Shankar effort for the Bison’s first go-ahead-goal of the game at 44:42.

With Spadafora sitting an elbowing penalty at 51:45 - the Phantoms’ powerplay struggled to find its recent form. A late shorthanded effort by Harding left the Bison with momentum on their side as they returned to full strength.

Harding was the man to seize momentum - with a turnover in the defensive zone finding him just outside the paint; allowing him to dig home at 54:47.

A coming together in the corner saw both Scott Robson and Hallam Wilson sit for roughing - followed shortly thereafter by a Phantoms timeout.

With Lavigne pulled - the Phantoms continued to press, with Bison attempts on the empty net failing to extend their lead. No dice for the Phantoms, however, as they fell to a 4-2 defeat on the road.

FINAL SCORE: Basingstoke Bison 4-2 Peterborough Phantoms