Match Preview: Stars v Barons 061122

BILLINGHAM STARS are out for revenge National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 later this afternoon as Solihull Barons make the trip up to the Forum.

It’s been four weeks since the Stars made the reverse journey to the Midlands, and it proved to be an unhappy trip as the Teessiders came home licking their wounds following a 9-3 mauling. It was Niklas Ottosson who did the damage that night, a seven-point haul for the Swede evidence that there’s certainly still much more to come from the forward now in his eighth season with the Barons. Solihull have had a somewhat mixed start to the season however, currently mid-table with five wins and four losses. They have two games in hand over third-placed Billingham and will look to use tonight’s game to close that gap.

The Stars are looking for a return to winning ways after another derby defeat to Whitley Warriors last Sunday. An 8-1 demolition of Nottingham Lions on Saturday should have been a springboard, and in truth Billingham put up a much better showing against their near neighbours than many in recent years. The Warriors experience told in the end however, the Stars running out of steam in the final period to see the two points disappear up the A19. Today represents an excellent chance to restore confidence as well as avenge that loss in Solihull a month ago. The roster tonight should be ‘as you were’, Rolands Gritāns and Jack Emerson still unavailable however there are dounts over both Callum Wilkinson and Sam Dowd. Finn Bradon returns to Stars action after scoring his first NIHL National goal for Leeds Knights last night.

The Stars face Solihull Barons in National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 later today, 5.30pm at the Forum. Tickets are priced at £12.50 adults, £8 concessions, £40 family [2+2].

Sunday Fixtures:

NIHL(N)1:

Sheffield Scimitars v Blackburn Hawks, Sunday 5.10pm

Billingham Stars v Solihull Barons, Sunday 5.30pm

Widnes Wild v Deeside Dragons, Sunday 5.30pm

Nottingham Lions v Whitley Warriors, Sunday 7.15pm