WEEKEND PREVIEW: MATCH WEEK 3
BILLINGHAM STARS go into their second National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 fixture later on today on a high after defeating preseason title favourites Blackburn Hawks in a thrilling home opener at the Forum last Sunday. However, with the League looking strong across the ten teams, there can be no let-up for this weekend’s double header.
Today’s visitors to the Forum are another team fancied to challenge for honours this season. Deeside Dragons have assembled a talented squad with some depth and are expected to be there or thereabouts come the final reckoning, getting their season underway last Sunday with a narrow win at home over much-improved Nottingham Lions. Players out during the summer included Andy McKinney who has stepped away from the sport, and netminder Matt Croyle who has joined Sheffield Scimitars. Losing McKinney especially was a blow, but new signings Charles Phillips, Will Harper and the promotion of several Dragons juniors has filled the gaps. Deeside are relying on two very young netminders this season with the loss of Croyle, and there are rumoured personnel changes to come over the next week or so, as such Petr Valusiak is not expected to ice later on.
🔗 Deeside Dragons on Elite Prospects: https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/5129/deeside-dragons
Tomorrow’s first road trip sees the Stars travelling to Merseyside to face Widnes Wild. Very much an unknown quantity this season, it is difficult to place the Wild or speculate as to their prospects for the season until they have a few games under their belts. It has been a tumultuous summer for Widnes, with a seemingly endless revolving door of players coming and going. Unfortunately for the Wild, the majority of movements were away from the Merseysiders, and as such they are starting over with new Player Coach Tom Jackson taking up the reins from the departed Joey Coulter. Preseason did not provide much insight into Widnes’ progress as they lost a two-game series against North 2 League champions Telford Tigers 2, and they will play their first League game this evening at Hull Jets.
🔗 Widnes Wild on Elite Prospects: https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/14039/widnes-wild
Billingham need to maintain the momentum gained from an excellent team display against the Hawks last Sunday. Despite conceding early in the third period to make it a one-goal game, the Stars never looked like relinquishing their lead and eventually skated out 3-1 winners. A four-point weekend is the target, but Billingham will have to do without captain Michael Elder and Jack Emerson today as both are unavailable.
The Stars face Deeside Dragons at the Forum later today, face off 5.30pm. Tickets are priced at £14 adults, £10 concessions, £46 family [2+2]. They then travel over to take on Widnes Wild tomorrow evening, face off 5.30pm.
Weekend Fixtures:
NIHL N1 Saturday:
💫 Billingham Stars 🆚 Deeside Dragons 🐉
✈️ Hull Jets 🆚 Widnes Wild 🐾
NIHL N1 Sunday:
🐉 Deeside Dragons 🆚 Blackburn Hawks 🦅
🏹 Whitley Warriors 🆚 Nottingham Lions 🦁
⚜️ Solihull Barons 🆚 Hull Jets ✈️
🐾 Widnes Wild 🆚 Billingham Stars 💫