Weekend Preview: Match Week 18

BILLINGHAM STARS start their 2024 off with a National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 trip to Sheffield Scimitars this afternoon, a fixture important for both the League and Cup standings - with Solihull Barons currently sitting on top of the Moralee Cup table, the Stars need to win their remaining games against the Scimitars today and Whitley Warriors next weekend to guarantee first place and a semi-final draw against the fourth-placed side.

Sheffield sit eighth in the League table, just a point above basement side Nottingham Lions, but with games in hand they could put some distance between themselves and the Lions as the ‘mini league’ of Lions, Scimitars and Wild battle it out at the foot of the table to make sure they reach the playoffs. Sheffield have won just two of their eight home games this season, but they have all been very close games regardless of the result and they have not lost any home game by more than a three-goal margin. The larger pad at IceSheffield has tripped up Billingham sides in the past, so the Stars will need to be wary of complacency to give themselves a good chance of securing the points.

The festive break has given Billingham a chance to rest and recuperate, with injuries continuing to plague the team. The side will still not be at full strength this afternoon, however several of the ‘treatment table’ gang have resumed training and may return this afternoon depending on the results of fitness tests before the game. The injury crisis has not cost the Stars as the team have rejigged lines successfully, this will need to continue as the Teessiders go into the New Year in pursuit of silverware. Jack Wakefield will back up Thomas Brown in the absence of Mark Turnbull this afternoon.

Billingham are at IceSheffield for a National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 encounter against the Scimitars this afternoon, face off 4.40pm.

Weekend Fixtures:

NIHL(N)1:

Sheffield Scimitars v Billingham Stars, Saturday 4.40pm

Hull Jets v Widnes Wild, Saturday 5.30pm

Blackburn Hawks v Deeside Dragons, Saturday 6pm

Whitley Warriors v Sheffield Scimitars, Sunday 5pm

Deeside Dragons v Blackburn Hawks, Sunday 5.15pm

Solihull Barons v Widnes Wild, Sunday 5.30pm

Nottingham Lions v Hull Jets, Sunday 7.20pm