Match Preview: Wild v Stars 271122
BILLINGHAM STARS are back on the road in National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 this afternoon, Widnes Wild the opposition as the Teessiders look to continue their recent good form.
Widnes were a real thorn in the side of the Stars last season, four straight League wins home and away for the Wild giving them more than an edge over their North East rivals. But since Billingham turned that tide in fine style in the playoff series, it has been the Stars on the front foot with victories in both games so far this campaign. The Wild do not look to be quite the same side as the one that disrupted the League last season and are struggling to find form as last night’s 3-2 defeat in a Challenge Cup tie at Blackburn Hawks proves. When Widnes click they are still very much a side to be reckoned with however, with danger still to be expected from the likes of Player-Coach Richard Haggar.
Billingham have the momentum but the last two games have shown that they are not quite the finished article as the coaches continue to find the best line combinations to become a real threat towards the top end of the table. Both at Blackburn and last week at Nottingham, the Stars were slow to find that elusive extra gear, but when it did come it was enough to get the job done on both occasions. The points keep coming and there are positives throughout as all lines are contributing and Billingham are finding ways to win where previously they might have struggled. Widnes is a place that the Stars have already took the points from this season, and the coaches will be looking for more of the same with a full squad expected to travel.
Billingham travel to Widnes Wild for a National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 fixture later this afternoon, face off 5.30pm.
Weekend Fixtures:
NIHL(N)1:
Sheffield Scimitars 1 Solway Sharks 16
Solihull Barons v Solway Sharks 5.30pm
Widnes Wild v Billingham Stars 5.30pm
Blackburn Hawks v Whitley Warriors 6pm
Nottingham Lions v Sheffield Scimitars 7.15pm