PREVIEW: MATCH WEEK 9
BILLINGHAM STARS look to continue their current excellent form in National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 as they make a quick return to Hull today, followed by a first visit of the season for Nottingham Lions back at the Forum tomorrow.
Just three weeks after turning over the Jets on their own ice, the fixture gods have Billingham back on Humberside this evening for their final League game at the Hull Ice Arena this season. The Jets struggled to recover from the shock of that defeat, going down to two late power play goals the following Saturday to hand Sheffield Scimitars their first win of the season in what is possibly the most unexpected result of the campaign so far. A weekend off last weekend will have given Hull the chance to regroup and refocus, the opportunity to exact some revenge so soon will no doubt be uppermost in the minds of players and coaches.
🔗 Hull Jets on Elite Prospects: https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/15817/hull-jets
Sunday night sees Nottingham at the Forum for the first meeting between the two sides this season, poignantly the Lions were also due to be the visitors this time last year, but the fixture had to be rearranged following the tragic death of Adam Johnson. Nottingham have a different look about them this season, the departure of Zach Yokoyama quickly made yesterday’s news by the signing of Czech forward Aleš Padělek, a seasoned veteran of many years in the Czech leagues before his first taste of British ice hockey at Slough Jets in the old EPL over a decade ago. He returned a year later to hook up with Peterborough Phantoms - a nine-season stint broken only by a return to Czechia during the COVID break - where he put up over a point a game average until last season. His drop down to this level is so far proving to be a success, ten goals in eight games thus far means the Stars have to be on their toes when he is on the ice.
🔗 Nottingham Lions on Elite Prospects: https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/3382/nottingham-lions
It’s another big weekend for Billingham, and one where once again they will need to adjust their lines due to player availability. Several incidents were reviewed following last Saturday’s win at Sheffield, and as a consequence Shaun Galloway will miss the next two games have been adjudged to have ‘sucker punched’ his opponent during an altercation towards the end of the second period. Justin Dennison will sit for five games following the hit on Michael Elder that resulted in some dental work for the Stars captain.
Fans are reminded that this Sunday is ‘Hockeyween’ – spooky fancy dress encouraged with prizes to be won.
On a more sombre note, the Stars and the Lions will honour the memory of Adam Johnson with a 47-second applause before the game on Sunday, fans are also encouraged to applaud during the 47th minute of the game itself.
Billingham take on Hull Jets in National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 at the Hull Ice Arena this evening, face off 5.30pm. They are back at the Forum tomorrow to face Nottingham Lions, face off 5.30pm. Tickets are priced at £14 adults, £10 concessions, £46 family [2+2].
Weekend Fixtures:
NIHL N1 Saturday:
🗡️ Sheffield Scimitars 🆚 Blackburn Hawks 🦅
✈️ Hull Jets 🆚 Billingham Stars 💫
🏹 Whitley Warriors 🆚 Deeside Dragons 🐉
NIHL N1 Sunday:
🐉 Deeside Dragons 🆚 Whitley Warriors 🏹
💫 Billingham Stars 🆚 Nottingham Lions 🦁
⚜️ Solihull Barons 🆚 Sheffield Scimitars 🗡️
🐾 Widnes Wild 🆚 Hull Jets✈️
🦅 Blackburn Hawks 🆚 Leeds Knights 2 ⚔️