Weekend Preview: Match Week 5
BILLINGHAM STARS finally return to the Forum to play a National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 match in front of their own fans after an epic five-game road trip that saw the Teessiders bag eight points from ten.
Blackburn Hawks are the visitors tomorrow night, one of the five teams the Stars faced on their travels, coming out of Lancashire with the points after a narrow 4-5 victory two weeks ago. Blackburn are being touted as one of the teams that could be challenging for the title, their top line especially stacked with offensive talent that opposing sides will have to shackle to get the better of the Hawks. Billingham just about managed to do that a fortnight ago, although danger man Adam Barnes did get himself on the scoresheet on the one occasion that the Stars defence backed off and allowed him the space to pick his spot. Since then, Blackburn have returned maximum points with wins at Widnes Wild and at home to Sheffield Scimitars last weekend, and they will be looking to correct the record when they visit the Forum tomorrow evening.
Billingham could not have asked for better from their trips to Nottingham Lions and Whitley Warriors last weekend, 19 goals scored, just four conceded and – most importantly – all four points made the heavy mileage worthwhile. The early face off in Nottingham gave the side a chance to rest up a little more before the big derby last Sunday, even so, the clinical manner with which they despatched the Warriors certainly sent a message around the League that the Stars mean business. There will still be holes to fill in the roster as Billingham return home, Callum Wilkinson and Thomas Brown remain on the treatment table, Patriks Grigors is suspended and, although he resumed training this week, tomorrow’s game will probably come a little too soon for Jack Emerson. The ‘next man up’ mentality is working well however, and the Stars will be able to ice a ‘new’ signing in defenceman Andy Finn. Finn last iced for Billingham before the pandemic, but he has been training regularly for some time and his experience at the back will be invaluable to the Stars young D core, as will his presence in the dressing room.
Billingham face Blackburn Hawks in National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 tomorrow evening, face off 5.30pm. Tickets are priced at £12.50 adults, £8 concessions, £38 family [2+2].
Weekend Fixtures:
NIHL(N)1:
Hull Jets v Blackburn Hawks, Saturday 5.30pm
Deeside Dragons v Sheffield Scimitars, Sunday 5.15pm
Billingham Stars v Blackburn Hawks, Sunday 5.30pm
Solihull Barons v Hull Jets, Sunday 5.30pm
Widnes Wild v Whitley Warriors, Sunday 5.30pm