NIHL Weekend Preview

WEEKEND

PREVIEW

NIHL NORTH DIVISION 1 MORALEE CONFERENCE

Saturday 5th March 2016

Solway Sharks vs. Sheffield Spartans

Sunday 6th  March 2016

Whitley Warriors vs. Solway Sharks

Billingham Stars vs. Telford Tigers

With every game bearing new significance as the league hurtles towards the playoffs, Whitley Warriors, Solway Sharks and Billingham Stars face yet another crucial weekend, the latter two teams continuing to fight for those much-desired playoff spots. Though the Stars currently sit in fourth position following a double point weekend, the Sharks are determined to challenge the Teesiders as they battle for their place in the top four with several games in hand on their rivals.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia – Ian Hanlon

On Saturday, Solway are the only team from our Northern Trio to face off, icing against Martin White’s Sheffield Spartans who now find themselves in danger after a sudden decline to eighth place in the league table. The Sharks, on the other hand, sit in sixth but are now both level on points with Telford Tigers and just one victory away from fourth placed Billingham Stars. Over the last two weeks, Solway have impressed as they triumphed over the Teesiders and Solihull Barons, with their opposition placed higher in the league standings than themselves. Pulling together against the Barons, the Sharks were helped to victory by their latest signing James Wallace and Slovakian import Martin Cingel to name but two, the latter picking up three assists and a goal on home ice. It is hoped that the Dumfries outfit can make it to three consecutive league wins this weekend as the team look to turn around their fortunes by snatching a top four finish in the closing stages of the season.

In contrast, Sheffield Spartans’ form has seriously slumped in recent weeks and, with just three games left to play, one of which is against the Sharks on Saturday, the side can only finish on a maximum of twenty seven points; the same tally of Billingham Stars at present. As a result, it appears that White’s side are suffering for their lack of consistency at the beginning of the season and are now, unfortunately, paying a heavy price. Losing seven successive games from the twenty third of January, the Spartans’ last victory was against Telford Tigers at Ice Sheffield; the side have since lost to Solihull Barons, Blackburn Hawks and Sutton Sting whilst also suffering home and away defeats to Whitley Warriors and Billingham Stars.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

A much-needed win for the Spartans on Saturday would see the side move up to twenty three points to equal that of Sutton Sting, though the side would remain in eighth place having played more games than the other teams in the Moralee Conference.  A win for Solway could see the Sharks rival Billingham Stars for fourth place but Martin Grubb’s men may miss out this weekend depending on Telford Tigers’ results against Solihull Barons and Billingham Stars.

Solway’s Head Coach Martin Grubb told NIHL Northern Trio: “We face another two tough games this weekend but we come into them on a decent run and we will be looking to continue that run towards the playoffs. Sheffield are a team who can beat anybody on their day and we need to make sure we don’t look at their recent results and come to play. We have been starting slowly of late and this is something we need to rectify as it will eventually hurt us. We have been scoring in the last few games which is always a positive but we need to tighten up defensively. We conceded too many at home last week and we know Sheffield like to play attacking hockey. It’s a big game in hand for us on our competitors so we will go into the game with confidence and look to take both points.”

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

The Sharks will then travel to Hillheads on Sunday evening to ice against Whitley Warriors in what will be the team’s last home game of this campaign. With David Longstaff’s line up having narrowed the gap between themselves and Blackburn Hawks, a victory would bring the Warriors to within one point of the side should Whitley manage to achieve one last home win to continue their unbeaten run at Hillheads this season. This will be a tough ask against a Solway Sharks side who are determined to finish in the playoff spots in spite of their difficult start to the season. With Warriors’ captain Jamie Tinsley and forward DJ Good both picking up two goals each last weekend in an 8-4 victory over Solihull Barons, Whitley face a challenging game once more against a side that has both fortitude and skill. Just who will take the points is anybody’s guess but the clash is likely to be an entertaining one with much at stake for both sides as Whitley look to defend their unbeaten home run.

Fittingly, the Warriors’ first home game of their 2015-16 campaign was against Grubb’s team and it seems appropriate that the two sides should face each other again to bring Whitley’s home fixtures to a close. The opening day of the season saw the Warriors claim a 7-4 victory over the Sharks in what was a surprising win against a team who usually perform to such a high standard to secure the points. This weekend will be a very different one however, with Solway now posing a great threat to their opposition to regain their reputation as a true playoff contender.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Looking ahead to Whitley’s last home game, player-coach David Longstaff noted: “It should be a very difficult game with Solway pushing for a playoff place but we’ll keep pushing hard to keep our unbeaten home run intact.”

Meanwhile, Grubb added: “Sunday will be another difficult game against a Warriors team who have been great this season so far and David has them playing with belief and structure and we know we will have to be focused on our game to get anything from Hillheads. We didn’t do ourselves any justice in our opening league game down there so we are determined to compete and, if we execute well and take our scoring chances, then we have a chance. We need everyone to be accountable for their performance this weekend and we will continue to push for our playoff spot.”

Also playing a home fixture on Sunday are Billingham Stars as they prepare for yet another encounter with Telford Tigers, having just taken on the side last weekend. A 4-3 score line falling in Billingham’s favour, the Tigers will be out to avenge their loss, particularly as they look to reclaim fourth spot from the Stars, the Shropshire side having the advantage of two games in hand on the Teesiders.

Telford have several skilled players in their midst, including forward James Smith who returned to Jason Parry’s line-up last weekend to tally two assists and a goal. Likewise, Billingham’s Michael Elder also made a great impact, having a hand in the first three goals against the Tigers on Saturday. In the earlier stages of the season, Billingham lost twice to the newly promoted outfit, suffering a 3-2 home defeat in October. With the Teesiders fighting hard to apply pressure to their opposition more recently, though not always succeeding, it is clear that Terry Ward’s men are united in their quest for a playoff spot.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Whilst victory would place Billingham on twenty nine points, a loss would see the Tigers clamber back into the top four to narrow the gap once again. The league currently so close at present, it could become even tighter on Sunday, particularly if Solway enjoy a four point weekend. Considering Billingham’s home fixture, Star Chris Sykes told NIHL Northern Trio: “We host Telford at home on Sunday this weekend! Big game for us, we’re hoping to make it the same as last weekend and get the full points that are up for grabs. It will be a tough game but we are ready for it. We are at home and making the last stretch to the end of the season. Our target is max points and giving it our all!”

For those who wish to attend any of these fixtures, Solway Sharks face off against Sheffield Spartans at 7:00pm at the Dumfries Ice Bowl on Saturday before travelling to Hillheads on Sunday for a 5:00pm encounter with Whitley Warriors, whilst Billingham Stars are set to host Telford Tigers from 6:30pm on Sunday at The Forum.

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