Match Preview: Stars v Dragons 120223

BILLINGHAM STARS continue to enjoy home comforts in National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 as they welcome Deeside Dragons to the Forum this evening.

Deeside are doing an admirable job of coping with a stop-start season that has seen them cope with a long stretch on the road before having to pause play completely until their home rink eventually became available in December. Now playing catch-up hockey for the rest of the season, the Dragons are – perhaps understandably – turning in some inconsistent performances as they attempt to climb away from the teams fighting it out towards the bottom of the table. Currently sitting in seventh place but with a considerable number of games in hand, Deeside could in theory catch local rivals Widnes Wild in fifth, however to get themselves above Solihull Barons or even the Stars would require a monumental effort and certainly they would need both points tonight. Games between the two sides have been very close so far this campaign, Billingham bagging an overtime win in December before the Dragons got their revenge in front of a large home crowd last month.

The Stars are still on a roll, keeping their noses in front of hard-chasing Solihull and hanging on to third place as the season reaches it’s final stages. Injuries and unavailability have seen lines change in recent weeks, and some of the younger members of the squad have iced more than perhaps they might have expected as Billingham keep the faith with their juniors. Long-term injury keeps out Shaun Galloway whilst Joe Walls is not expected to return tonight. Alex Preston and Jack Emerson should both ice after missing last Sunday’s win over Sheffield Scimitars.

The Stars face Deeside Dragons in a National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 fixture at the Forum this evening, face off 5.30pm. Tickets are priced at £12.50 adults, £8 concessions, £40 family [2+2].

Weekend Fixtures:

NIHL(N)1:

Deeside Dragons 3 Solway Sharks 7

Sheffield Scimitars v Nottingham Lions, Sunday 5.10pm

Billingham Stars v Deeside Dragons, Sunday 5.30pm

Solihull Barons v Whitley Warriors, Sunday 5.30pm

Widnes Wild v Solway Sharks, Sunday 5.30pm