THE Basingstoke Buffalo made it four victories on the trot, after a 5-2 success at the Cardiff Fire.
The Herd will now look to extend their winning streak on Saturday (6.30pm) when Cardiff visit Basingstoke.
Last Saturday in Wales, the Buffs won the first period 2-0 scoring twice in the first 10 minutes.
Cam Buckle netted the first, as he finished a nice powerplay move which also involved Sam Compton and Paul Petts.
Sam Hemmings-Maher with his first goal of the season, doubled the advantage, assisted by Xander Robinson and Janne Virtenen.
Hallam Wilson made it 3-0 at 26:44, as defenceman Josh Richards picked up his first point of the season and Petts got the other helper.
Outstanding Buffalo man of the match Dan Weller-Evans was then beaten for the first time four minutes later by Cardiff’s Jack Whiting.
The Buffs having spent a fair chuck of the last two periods shorthanded, after a string of harsh penalties, it was no surprise the visitors did not score again until 51:13, when Robinson netted from Buckle and Hemmings-Maher.
A minute later, Cardiff pulled a goal back from Kris Kasjanovs.
However, that was as good as it got and in the final minute, the Buffalo completed the 5-2 victory as Wilson slotted a pass from Virtenen into the empty net.
The game also saw former Bison defenceman Tom Banner, who signed for the Oxford City Stars in the summer, make his return to a Basingstoke team.
After the victory in Cardiff, one of the Buffalo player/coaches Paul Petts said: “It was another good win and I think Dan Weller-Evans had his best game of the season for us.
“It was also great to see Tom Banner in the line-up and he is a massive addition and played with a lot of confidence.”
For Saturday’s home game against Cardiff, Carl Graham is unavailable, but fellow blue line Ollie Reeves will be back in the line-up.
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