Weekend Preview: Match Week 7

IT’S ANOTHER single-game weekend for Billingham Stars in National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 as Hull Jets make the trip up to Teesside tomorrow afternoon.

Hull’s step-up to North 1 after winning the Laidler Conference last season has so far proved the correct decision. With few changes in the summer, the Jets have made an immediate impact on the higher division, taking the scalps of Blackburn Hawks, Deeside Dragons, Whitley Warriors and – in the first game of the campaign – the Stars to sit comfortably in a mid-table spot. The problem for the Jets would seem to be their form on the road – whilst they have turned their own barn into a fortress, they are yet to repeat that winning formula on their travels and have not taken a point away from Hull. This was the case again last Sunday when they came away from iceSheffield empty-handed after a 5-2 loss to the Scimitars. The Jets know they have what it takes to get the better of Billingham and will be looking to take that small psychological advantage into tomorrow’s game.

The Stars returned to winning ways in convincing form last Sunday as they rattled nine past Widnes Wild with just a single reply. The restored top line of Michael Elder, Chris Sykes and Rolands Gritāns was flying, with hat tricks for Elder and Gritāns as Billingham’s more clinical finishing proved too much for the Wild. Retaining their spot at the top of the table puts a target of the Stars’ backs now, a wide-open League this season giving every team the belief that they can take the points on any given night, and Hull will be no different. Billingham will feel that they owe their visitors one after that opening day defeat and will go into the clash with their numbers almost back up to full strength, Callum Wilkinson still recovering from his preseason injury, Patriks Grigors suspended and Mark Turnbull unavailable.

The Stars take on Hull Jets 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 Sheffield Scimitars, Saturday 5.30pm

Whitley Warriors v Deeside Dragons, Sunday 5pm

Billingham Stars v Hull Jets, Sunday 5.30pm

Blackburn Hawks v Widnes Wild, Sunday 6pm

Nottingham Lions v Solihull Barons, Sunday 7.20pm