Weekend Preview: Match Week 23

BILLINGHAM STARS are into the business end of their National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 season and will be looking to secure both points on the road at Deeside Dragons later today to maintain the gap at the top of the table.

Deeside currently sit solidly in mid-table, level on points with sixth-placed Hull Jets and fourth-placed Whitley Warriors but fifth by virtue of the Tynesiders’ superior head-to-head record. The Dragons have improved considerably since Billingham’s last visit in September when the Stars ran out 3-8 victors but have had to endure some bumps along the way including running into some disciplinary trouble. Their focus is now on securing the highest League place that they can to improve their playoff seeding and it’s certainly still all to play for as just three points separates third and sixth place.

It's ‘one game at a time’ for the Stars, but certainly a win today would be a huge stepping stone towards their dream of a first League title in 12 years as it would mean they can only be caught by Solihull Barons or Blackburn Hawks. Every game from now until the journey ends is crucial, however Billingham have not been at full strength and are hopeful of icing a larger bench today. The coaches tinkered with the lines in the final period against Widnes last Sunday to give them options should they need an alternative game plan, which they may need against a Dragons outfit that has blown hot and cold all season.

The Stars travel to Deeside Dragons for a National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 fixture later today, face off in North Wales is 5.15pm.

Weekend Fixtures/Results:

NIHL(N)1:

Sheffield Scimitars 2 Whitley Warriors 10

Deeside Dragons v Billingham Stars, Sunday 5.15pm

Solihull Barons v Whitley Warriors, Sunday 5.30pm

Widnes Wild v Sheffield Scimitars, Sunday 5.30pm

Nottingham Lions v Blackburn Hawks, Sunday 7.20pm