Sheffield 3-1 Basingstoke

This game was delayed for a minute's silence after the recent death of a Sheffield fan.

Sheffield stay 2 points clear at the top as they and second placed Nottingham both win tonight.

Bison took a penalty just 49 seconds into the game. Sheffield worked Cruickshank and Mark Dutiaume netted Bolibruk's rebound from in front of the left post (2:25). Bison posted a quick reply when Widauer netted a rebound from the left slot (2:44) and the visitors carried the greater threat throughout the opening period. Indeed, Bison would have been in front but for a superb point-blank glove save from Pasi from Martin Filip.

Bison started the second well, but by the end of the period Sheffield had control of the game. Big chances at both ends in the 27th minute. First Sheffield's Erik Anderson was blanked at 26 mins then Joe Ciccarello was twice denied whilst Joel Irving's first-timer was well saved by Cruickshank. Bison broke away 4-on-2, Hargreaves took the shot and in the scramble for the loose puck the net came adrift. Before the game restarted Hargreaves was sitting a 10 minute misconduct.

With the sides 4-on-4 Gerad Adams netted what proved to be the game winner through traffic from top of the slot after a face-off on the right (33:35).

Kirk Dewaele's left point shot crept home (40:39) to give Sheffield a cushion. Steve Ellis broke through down the right, drew Cruickshank and then circled behind for a glorious wraparound but somehow Cruickshank got his stick across for a jaw-dropping save.

Pasi Raitenen pulled a couple of good reaction stops late in the third but there was no way back for Bison.

Quite a night for Sheffield forward Steve Ellis who earlier this week announced his engagement to Jenny Taylor.