Stars’ top scorer Michael Bowman

Billingham Stars face another important weekend as they bid to retain their NIHL1 North crown. Stars travel to Coventry Blaze on Saturday, before facing Blackburn Hawks at home on Sunday as they look to close the gap on current leaders Solway Sharks.

Stars’ Coach Simon Leach knows Solway will be tough to catch, “All we can do is win our games,” said Leach. “We’ve been so unlucky with injuries and have struggled to get stability. The players are responding well to it though. There’s good togetherness, morale is high and they’re work hard for each other. Whenever I ask the guys to do a job they respond and we need to keep doing that until the end of the season.”

Sharks have a weekend off after being awarded a 5-0 win following Coventry’s refusal to travel for Sunday’s fixture. Blaze have also been deducted two points. Third placed Sutton Sting are at Telford Titans on Saturday and meet Whitley Warriors at Ice Sheffield the following day.

The top two clash in NIHL2 North on Sunday as Nottingham Lions host Deeside Dragons. Just one point separates the two teams and Dragons’ Player/Coach Steve Fellows admits it’s a must-win game, “It’s our second visit to Nottingham this season and we’re overdue a win against them,” said Fellows. “We should’ve taken something last time at our place and we need to take our best there to get the win as we’re running out of games.”

Fellow promotion hopefuls Sheffield Senators play Blackburn Eagles on Saturday, while Solihull Barons travel to meet Fylde. The Flyers are also in action on Sunday with a trip to Hull Stingrays.

(Image permission: IceHockeyMedia)