Match Preview: Stars v Warriors 220123

BILLINGHAM STARS return to the Forum later this evening for a National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 clash with neighbours Whitley Warriors just two weeks after finally getting the best of their local rivals in the Moralee Cup semi-final and ending almost four years of derby pain.

Although wounded, the Warriors bounced back from their Cup disappointment by beating Sheffield Scimitars by the odd goal in five last Sunday at Hillheads. Whitley are pushing Solway Sharks hard at the top of the League table, sitting just two points off the Scots, so can ill afford any slip-ups in their pursuit of silverware. Although they got the points last weekend, the Warriors struggled to get past the Scimitars – a side currently winless and bottom of the table – so they will be looking to pick up the pace again later today and get back on track for what is expected to be a tough run-in.

Billingham could not follow up their long-awaited derby victory as they crashed on the road at Deeside Dragons last Sunday, a flat performance from the visitors in front of a noisy home crowd delivering a 4-3 win for the Dragons. The Stars were short at the back in North Wales but should welcome back Joe Dowdle and Patriks Grigors today, Grigors returning from his six-game suspension picked up last month at Solway. On the flip side however, Tommy Spraggon should miss today’s game with an upper body injury, joining Shaun Galloway on the treatment table.

Billingham take on Whitley Warriors 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:

Moralee Cup Semi-Final:

Widnes Wild 2 Solway Sharks 11 - Solway win 16 - 3 on aggregate

NIHL(N)1:

Solihull Barons 10 Deeside Dragons 2

Deeside Dragons v Sheffield Scimitars, Sunday 5.15pm            

Billingham Stars v Whitley Warriors, Sunday 5.30pm

Solihull Barons v Widnes Wild, Sunday 5.30pm

Blackburn Hawks v Nottingham Lions - cancelled