Weekend Preview: Dragons v Stars 040323 / Stars v Wild 050323
BILLINGHAM STARS start their busy run-in to the National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 play-offs this weekend, a long trip to Deeside Dragons this evening preceding the visit of Widnes Wild to the Forum tomorrow.
Deeside have proved to be tricky opponents for the Stars this season, indeed Billingham will be looking to get revenge for the narrow 4-3 defeat there in January. It’s difficult to judge the Dragons campaign thus far as they have been quite inconsistent, capable of living with and beating teams above them in the table but also turning in the odd uncharacteristically poor performance. Their squad is certainly one of the stronger rosters in the League and teams looking at potential play-off first round pairings will be hoping to avoid them. Their home support since returning in December has been a contributing factor to their form and the Stars can expect a noisy backing for their hosts when they skate out later this afternoon.
The Wild visit the Forum tomorrow hoping to put last weekend’s derby defeat against the Dragons behind them. Another somewhat schizophrenic side, Widnes have had to cope with the loss of Player-Coach Richard Haggar since the turn of the year, the dizzy heights of the third place finish they achieved last time out seemingly beyond them this time. They are still a very capable outfit however, and another potential banana skin for Billingham as they pursue local rivals Whitley Warriors for second place.
The Stars continued their recent excellent form with a comfortable but frustrating 0-9 win on the road at Sheffield Scimitars last Saturday. On paper the result looked convincing enough, but Billingham did not meet their own high standards through the last forty of the game. With two very hard games this weekend, the Stars cannot afford to have any periods off and will need to put in the effort if they are to make it a four-point weekend. Billingham fans were delighted to see Shaun Galloway return against the Scimitars, but Patriks Grigors will miss all but the play-off final (should the Stars make it that far), an 11-game ban for his spear in the Whitley match now confirmed.
Billingham face Deeside Dragons in National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 this afternoon, face off 5.15pm. They then welcome Widnes Wild to the Forum tomorrow, face off 5.30pm. Tickets are priced at £12.50 adults, £8 concessions, £40 family [2+2].
Weekend Fixtures:
NIHL(N)1:
Deeside Dragons v Billingham Stars, Saturday 5.15pm
Widnes Wild v Whitley Warriors, Saturday 5.30pm
Solway Sharks v Solihull Barons, Saturday 7pm
Whitley Warriors v Deeside Dragons, Sunday 5pm
Billingham Stars v Widnes Wild, Sunday 5.30pm
Blackburn Hawks v Solihull Barons, Sunday 6pm
Nottingham Lions v Solway Sharks, Sunday 7.15pm