PREVIEW: MATCH WEEK 5
BILLINGHAM STARS need to bounce back from the disappointment of a first National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 defeat of the season last weekend with a home clash against Sheffield Scimitars at the Forum tomorrow evening.
Sheffield are yet to pick up any points as the first month of the new campaign draws to a close, but there have certainly been encouraging signs in their opening four games. Whilst they looked like they might become the League’s whipping boys as they conceded 14 goals in their first two matches, last weekend’s double header against Whitley Warriors and Hull Jets saw the Scimitars push both sides very close. A 3-5 defeat on home ice on Saturday against the Warriors followed by a 7-4 road loss on Sunday on Humberside doesn’t tell the whole story as Sheffield took the early lead in both games before eventually succumbing. Not only does this prove that the Scims will be no pushovers, it’s also another warning sign to the teams expecting to challenge towards the top end of the table that no team in this League should be taken for granted. If playing, watch out tomorrow for talented young forward Aiden Dancer – already with a highlight reel ‘Michigan’ under his belt this season – and netminder Matt Croyle, a summer signing from Deeside Dragons who has proved a tricky puzzle to solve for the Stars in the past.
🔗 Sheffield Scimitars on Elite Prospects: https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/8137/sheffield-scimitars
It was a Sunday to forget down in Solihull last weekend for the Stars, seemingly nothing going to plan as the Barons ran away with the game in the final period to secure an 8-3 victory. Billingham had several key players missing and consequently were forced into some necessary line changes which disrupted their rhythm, nevertheless the coaches were disappointed in the manner in which the game slipped from their grasp in that final session and are looking for a response tomorrow. There will be players still missing from the lineup, but the ‘next man up’ mentality that stood the side in such good stead last season is the one the coaches are looking for as the Stars look to get back on track.
Billingham take on Sheffield Scimitars in a National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 clash at the Forum tomorrow evening, face off 5.30pm. Tickets are priced at £14 adults, £10 concessions, £46 family [2+2].
Weekend Fixtures:
NIHL N1 Saturday:
🗡️ Sheffield Scimitars 🆚 Nottingham Lions 🦁
NIHL N1 Sunday:
🏹 Whitley Warriors 🆚 Hull Jets ✈️
💫 Billingham Stars 🆚 Sheffield Scimitars 🗡️
🐾 Widnes Wild 🆚 Leeds Knights 2 ⚔️
🦅 Blackburn Hawks 🆚 Solihull Barons ⚜️