Weekend Preview: Match Week 20
BILLINGHAM STARS face the bottom side in National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 today before a tricky trip over the Pennines tomorrow in search of all four points to maintain their position at the top of the table.
Nottingham Lions visit the Forum later today in desperate need of points as the battle for the playoffs heats up at the foot of the table. The last-placed team will be the ones to miss out, and with Widnes Wild seemingly having turned a corner, it looks like a straight fight between Lions and Sheffield Scimitars for eighth place and the final playoff berth. The two sides are tied on eight points currently but Nottingham have played a game more, the double-header weekend series between the two sides at the beginning of February starting to look crucial. As ever Lions will look to talisman Zach Yokoyama to cause the Stars problems today, however his influence has not proved to be as effective this season partly due to his apparent inability to stay out of the penalty box.
A trip to Blackburn Hawks is always a difficult one for Billingham, the larger ice pad in Lancashire often flummoxing visiting Stars sides over the years. The pendulum has swung back in the Teessiders favour of late, with Billingham on the right end of the scoreline in recent seasons. The previous three games between the two sides this season have all been very close however, the Hawks being the last side to defeat the Stars at the Forum back in October. Another close battle is expected tomorrow as fourth-placed Blackburn continue to chase down the sides above them in the table, silverware is the ultimate goal for both sides going into the business end of the season.
With a Moralee Cup semifinal to look forward to next weekend, it is important that Billingham do not allow themselves to be distracted as they target another four-point weekend. A comfortable win in the derby last Sunday has continued a winning start to 2024, the return of key players at this critical point of the season a huge boost to the Teessiders title challenge. The Stars should be somewhere close to full strength this weekend, although doubts hang over a few players with a sickness bug keeping some away from training during the week.
The Stars face Nottingham Lions in National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 this evening, face off 5.30pm. Tickets are priced at £12.50 adults, £8 concessions, £38 family [2+2]. They then travel to Blackburn Hawks tomorrow evening, face off 6pm.
Weekend Fixtures:
NIHL(N)1:
Billingham Stars v Nottingham Lions, Saturday 5.30pm
Solihull Barons v Deeside Dragons, Saturday 6.30pm
Whitley Warriors v Deeside Dragons, Sunday 5pm
Sheffield Scimitars v Solihull Barons, Sunday 5.10pm
Widnes Wild v Hull Jets, Sunday 5.30pm
Blackburn Hawks v Billingham Stars, Sunday 6pm