Match Preview: Lions v Stars 201122

BILLINGHAM STARS continue on their travels with a trip down to Nottingham Lions for a National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 encounter that could see them move to within a couple of points of second place.

Nottingham continue to make progress in the Moralee Conference, and certainly no one can afford to take them lightly as they can be a match for any team on any given night. The Stars recent 8-1 home victory over the Lions was far harder than the score line suggests, Nottingham contributing to their own downfall with a third period capitulation that was nothing like the two preceding sessions. Currently sat in sixth position, the Lions will want to avoid getting dragged into a dogfight at the foot of the table whilst pushing mid-table rivals such as Widnes Wild just above to climb higher. The threat of Zach Yokoyama must be contained if Billingham are to come away with any reward this evening, as well as matching Nottingham’s work rate which has seen them through on occasion this season already.

It is important for the Stars to maintain their momentum as they tackle this series of games away from the Forum, a large bench and team spirit will be contributing factors to their success or otherwise. Last Saturday’s 1-4 win at Blackburn Hawks was just the boost the team needed, a rink that has proved too tricky in recent times overcome in comfortable fashion. In truth the performance was enough but not 100%, the coaches with tweaks to make in training as Billingham look to cement third place whilst perhaps giving the top two something to think about. The Stars should travel missing only Jack Emerson and Sam Dowd today, although Patriks Grigors faces a late fitness test and could miss out.

The Stars are at Nottingham Lions for a National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 fixture later this evening, face off 7.15pm.

Weekend Fixtures:

NIHL(N)1:

Solway Sharks 6 Whitley Warriors 5

Whitley Warriors v Blackburn Hawks, Sunday 5pm

Widnes Wild v Sheffield Scimitars, Sunday 5.30pm

Nottingham Lions v Billingham Stars, Sunday 7.15pm