Basingstoke Bison 5 Paisley Pirates 3 (Saturday 23/1/99)
Broken record, Pirates again unlucky. Bison come out firing putting Pirates under heavy pressure early on. Redmond and Klys close inside the first minute.Pirates, however given a chance to settle with Pound called for Interference at 2.32 and Lindahl gels their first shot on the advantage. Also on the powerplay Jonsson sets Robertson but Levison saves. Back ot even strength and Fero sets up Grant unmarked in front but somehow he misses the target. Minor sniffle at 9.09 sees Crawford and Valstar both called for Roughing and its Bison who almost take advantage of the 4-on-4 Klys forcing a full strength save from Lindsay. Bison then on the powerplay at 11.29 following a poor apirates line change saw a Too Many Men call and their camped on the advantage but Pirates hold. The pressure continues. A solo Ellis effort and then a Valstar back check to stop Grant. Inevitably, this pressure told. Bison force a scramble in front of Lindsay, the puck breaking to Smillie and he nets the opener at 18.33. Pirates almost bounce backbefore the break but Robertson cant convert Downes' set up.
AFTER 1 PERIOD BISON 1 PIRATES 0

Second period and Pirates given an early opportunity with Chard called for Hooking after only 42 seconds and they jump on it. Swan finding Donovan in the slot for the equaliser and the powerplay at 21.55. As now an even contest with half chances at both ends. Pirates back on the powerplay at 25.47. Armstrong called for Elbows. Pirates again press on the advantage but the breakthrough comes 12 seconds after it's over. Swan firing home from the slot. Bison call time out at this point, Controversial turning point of the matcc at 28.42, Jonsson in alone and he nets but referee Meier rules it out and calls Hooking on Donovan but Pirates still dangerous. Swan close with a short-handed steal. Back to 5-on-5 and Bison almost catch Pirates on a 2-on-1 break but again Valstar cool on the back check. Bison then mount heavy pressure but can't find an equaliser with Pirates almost catching them on the break through Donovan and this leads to another powerplay with Redmond called for Holding at 35.40. Pirates turn to camp in the Bison zone but can't find a finish.
AFTER 2 PERIODS BISON 1 PIRATES 2

Final period and Bison have the better of the early half chances. Pirates however, gift them the equaliser, old story, cant clear the zone and Redmond nets from close range at 44.03 Pirates back on the powerplay at 45.00 with Fera called for Roughing but this time they create nothing. They pay for this following a scramble in front. Smillie netting from close range at 47.34. Pirates turn to call time out. This seems to settle them and they're given another powerplay at 48.38. Smillie for Slashing but then again they create little. Again Pirates pay but controversially Bison break clear. Lindahl appears to get back to cover but he s taken out on the blue line allwing Fera to score a t51.37 Clark almost gets one back but Levison saves well. The puck breaks to Grant and he sends Smillie clear to kill the game with his hat trick goal at 54.17. 32 seconds later and Bison on the powerplay. Jonsson for Interference and Lindsay stops Smilllie netting his fourth from point blank range. Back at even strength and Levisons turn to perform heroics pulling off an incredible save to denyJonsson at point blank range. Referee Meier then took exception to something Pound said or did and gave him a Misconduct at 57.25. Pirates deservedly get a consolation goal with 8 seconds remaining Valstar netting from the slot. Summing-up, again Pirates give one of the "top teams" a fright but again the breaks go against them and they come home empty handed when their efforts deserved so much more
Man of the Match Awards: Craig Lindsay (32 saves) and Steve Smillie (3 goals).