Weekend Preview: Moralee Cup Semi Final
IT’S CUP SEMI FINALS weekend in the NIHL and for Billingham Stars that means a double header against Hull Jets in the Moralee Cup as both sides aim for a shot at the first silverware of the season.
The Jets present a tough challenge for high-flying Billingham. Although newly promoted to Division 1 this season, Hull have already proved to be more than capable of stepping up and are looking good for a top half finish come the final reckoning. A Cup semi final is just reward for a sterling first half to their campaign and they are aiming to go all the way. The Jets will go into today’s first leg on home ice full of confidence – their record at Hull Ice Arena is enviable, just one regulation time loss all season shows how strong they are in front of their own fans as the Stars already know to their own cost, a 4-2 loss on Humberside in the season opener is a game Billingham want to avenge today.
It's 14 wins on the bounce for Billingham, but that record will mean little if the Stars cannot make their second consecutive Cup final this weekend. Last weekend’s victories were hard-fought affairs, in Blackburn especially, and not without cost as the Teessiders find themselves once again with injuries to contend with. Several players will face late fitness tests; however, the Stars have shown regularly over the past few months that they are able to cope with gaps in the roster with their ‘next man up’ mentality. Billingham cane so close to winning this trophy last season and will battle all the way this weekend to get themselves another shot.
The Stars travel to Hull Jets later today for the first leg of the Moralee Cup semifinal. The second leg is tomorrow evening at the Forum, face off 5.30pm. Tickets are priced at £12.50 adults, £8 concessions, £38 family [2+2].
Weekend Fixtures:
Moralee Cup Semi Finals:
Hull Jets v Billingham Stars, Saturday 5.30pm
Blackburn Hawks v Solihull Barons, Saturday 6pm
Billingham Stars v Hull Jets, Sunday 5.30pm
Solihull Barons v Blackburn Hawks, Sunday 5.30pm