The London Raiders team faced Basingstoke Bisons on Sunday evening at Sapphire Ice and Leisure Centre.
Raiders started an unchanged line-up in front of a sold out crowd. Both sets of fans built an impressive atmosphere ready for the top table clash.
The game was fast paced game with both coming agonizingly close to opening the scoring, but despite their best efforts both sides failed to score in the whole first period.
Firing Blanks
Netminder, Michael Gray who only joined the Raiders half way through the season had a key role in maintaining the 0-0 scoreline through a series of crucial saves. In the first period he saved a total of seven shots.
Raiders forward, Tom Davis made a tackle from behind which resulted in him being sin-binned for 10 minutes. This gave Bison a two minute power play, however they failed to make anything from this.
Second Period Scramble
Both teams came out for the fight after the first break but neither side could gain control of the match.
Raiders forwards Ollie Baldock, Marik Nahlik and Juraj Huska all came close to opening the scoring but their efforts were matched by the Bisons netminder, Dean Skinns.
In a fast and feisty second period Raiders netminder Gray was not short of saves to make himself, the match was set to be tense battle right until the final whistle.
After another 20 minutes of action the score was still poised at 0-0.
Last Minute Loss
Raiders forward, Brandon Ayliffee finally broke the deadlock early in the third period with his ninth goal of the season.
The Bison’s continued to pile on the pressure but the Raiders just couldn’t hold on. They were punished on the 55th minute as Bison captain, Aaron Connolly equalised.
With just a minute to go, the confidence that the equaliser gave Bisions inspired Ryan Sutton to net the winner after a solid pass by Connolly.
Despite Bison defender Joe Baird, conceding a two minute penalty for hooking with nine seconds of the game left, the Raiders couldn’t make the most of the power play and find their way back in to the game.
Weekend Of Action
The Raiders welcome current second place, Peterborough Phantoms to the Sapphire Ice and Leisure Centre, with face-off scheduled for 17:30 on Saturday, as Raiders will look to catch up with Peterborough who currently have a 12-point lead over them in the table.
On Sunday, Swindon Wildcats who currently sit third in the NIHL South Division 1 welcome the Raiders as they too look to close in on the top two teams.
