Weekend Preview: Match Week 14

THE LAST home game for Billingham Stars in National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 in 2023 will be a tricky one as fourth-placed Blackburn Hawks visit the Forum.

Blackburn are currently the only team to come away from Teesside with both points this season, a 3-5 result back in October one that the Stars will be eager to reverse. The Hawks have an enviable record on the road this far, just two losses indicative of how well set up they are on their travels. They will need to bounce back from a disappointing night on home ice last night however, a 4-5 defeat at the hands of a very short-benched Edinburgh Capitals in the Northern League competition is not one that was expected and the coaching team of Dominic Osman and Ollie Lomax will be looking for an immediate response.

A statement weekend from the Stars last time out saw the Teessiders open up a small gap at the top of the table, big wins over the chasing pack of Solihull Barons and Whitley Warriors sending a message to the rest of the League. Although on a roll, Billingham do have some injury issues that will see them at less than full strength until the New Year at the earliest and will look to the rest of the squad to step up as they have done all season. A complete team performance is required to get past the Hawks and retain the advantage they have battled so hard to put together.

The Stars take on Blackburn Hawks in National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 this evening, face off 5.30pm. Tickets are priced at £12.50 adults, £8 concessions, £38 family [2+2]. Tonight is also the annual Billingham Teddy Toss game – bring those bears and watch the fur fly at the end of the first period!

Weekend Fixtures/Results:

NIHL(N)1:

Hull Jets 5 Nottingham Lions 4 after overtime

Widnes Wild 1 Whitley Warriors 5

Whitley Warriors v Solihull Barons, Sunday 5pm

Deeside Dragons v Sheffield Scimitars, Sunday 5.15pm

Billingham Stars v Blackburn Hawks, Saturday 5.30pm

Nottingham Lions v Widnes Wild, Sunday 7.20pm