PREVIEW: MATCH WEEK 13
BILLINGHAM STARS go into a pivotal period in their National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 campaign with a tough assignment In Lancashire against Blackburn Hawks this evening.
The preseason title favourites in the minds of many, Blackburn have perhaps not yet hit full stride and suffered some unexpected losses in the opening months of the season. A talented squad with several ‘big game’ players, the Hawks have started to play to something approaching their full potential in recent weeks, with a record of six straight wins stretching back to their home defeat to Whitley Warriors in mid-October. Blackburn have excellent scoring depth, which they added to a month ago when they signed former Deeside Dragon Andy McKinney. McKinney has made an immediate impact, putting up 13 points in his first six games. At the top of their scoring chart are usual suspects Jacob Lutwyche and Adam Barnes, but they have three lines capable of contributing. The Hawks will be without James Royds who has picked up a suspension following an incident that saw Phil Mulcahy injured at Solihull Barons last Sunday.
🔗 Blackburn Hawks on Elite Prospects: https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/2114/blackburn-hawks
It’s been a rollercoaster few weeks for Billingham, who have stayed on course in the defence of their League title despite missing key players due to suspensions and unavailability. They are not out of the woods for a few weeks yet and remain light at the back as both Darren Stattersfield and Ben Greenhalgh continue to watch on from the sidelines. James Moss has served his time and should return, whilst Conner McNulty is also expected to make the trip.
The Stars visit Blackburn Hawks for a National Ice Hockey League (N) Moralee Division 1 clash later today, face off 6pm.
Weekend Fixtures/Results:
NIHL N1 Saturday:
🦁 Nottingham Lions 4 - 5 Whitley Warriors 🏹
✈️ Hull Jets 1 - 5 Solihull Barons ⚜️
⚔️ Leeds Knights 2 7 - 14 Deeside Dragons 🐉
NIHL N1 Sunday:
🏹 Whitley Warriors 🆚 Leeds Knights 2 ⚔️
🗡️ Sheffield Scimitars 🆚 Hull Jets ✈️
🐉 Deeside Dragons 🆚 Widnes Wild 🐾
🦅 Blackburn Hawks 🆚 Billingham Stars 💫
🦁 Nottingham Lions 🆚 Solihull Barons ⚜️