Weekend Preview: Match Week 13
IT’S A massive weekend for Billingham Stars in National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 as they welcome second-placed Solihull Barons to the Forum this evening for a top-of-the-table clash, before making the short journey up the A19 for the Tyne-Tees derby at Hillheads tomorrow afternoon.
Credit: Keith & Jenny Davies
Solihull come into today’s game as the Stars nearest challengers at the top of the table and currently winning the head-to-head battle between the two sides, albeit after just a single game. That 4-3 road loss back in September seems a long time ago, but the Barons will use that slight psychological edge to try to gain an advantage early doors this evening. Much like Billingham, it is the Solihull top line that has been doing all the damage this season, the Mulcahy brothers and veteran import Niklas Ottosson combining for 120 points already. The bad news for the Midlanders is that they will have to do without Dan Mulcahy this evening as he is currently serving a six-game suspension for an illegal check to the head.
Credit: Colin Edwards Photography
The Stars travel up to Whitley tomorrow to face a Warriors side very much in transition. After a winning start to the season, a poor run of results – including a 2-9 home ice mauling at the hands of the Stars – saw the Tynesiders drop down the table. However they have returned to winning ways lately and have been picking up points, enough to see them back up in third place. Their problem seems to be inconsistency as last weekend illustrated perfectly – a 5-1 road loss at Blackburn Hawks followed by a feisty 8-3 home win over Nottingham Lions. The return of fan favourite Jordan Barnes appears to have sparked the Warriors, however his tangle with Lions danger man Zach Yokoyama last Sunday ultimately resulted in Rihards Grigors picking up a two-game suspension for leaving the bench to assist his teammate, meaning he misses tomorrow’s crucial encounter.
Another four-point weekend last time out was a huge boost for Billingham going into this weekend, 19 goals against just three conceded the perfect springboard for the games coming up. Still nursing a few bumps and bruises, the Stars will look to their ‘next man up’ mentality to see them through this vital period. Patriks Grigors finishes his long suspension this evening, so is available for selection for tomorrow’s game.
Billingham take on Solihull Barons at 5.30pm in National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 this evening, tickets are priced at £12.50 adults, £8 concessions, £38 family [2+2]. The Stars then travel to Hillheads tomorrow to face Whitley Warriors, face off 5pm.
Weekend Fixtures:
NIHL(N)1:
Billingham Stars v Solihull Barons, Saturday 5.30pm
Whitley Warriors v Billingham Stars, Sunday 5pm
Solihull Barons v Hull Jets, Sunday 5.30pm
Widnes Wild v Deeside Dragons, Sunday 5.30pm
Blackburn Hawks v Nottingham Lions, Sunday 6pm