NIHL Weekend Preview

WEEKEND

PREVIEW

NIHL NORTH DIVISION 1 (MORALEE)

Sunday 10th December 2017

Whitley Warriors vs. Billingham Stars

Fixture:    Whitley Warriors vs. Billingham Stars

Date:        10^th December 2017  

Venue:     Whitley Bay Ice Rink

Faceoff:  5:00pm

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

After last Sunday’s close encounter with Sheffield Steeldogs at Hillheads, this weekend sees Whitley Warriors prepare to host local rivals Billingham Stars for the first time this season. Already achieving a 4-3 win over the Teessiders away from home in October, the Warriors head into this derby fixture knowing the offensive threat that Billingham pose in spite of their recent result against the outfit. In their last meeting against David Longstaff’s men, the Stars established a 2-0 lead courtesy of forward Luke Brown and captain Michael Elder, the latter responding with another after Warrior Callum Watson printed his name on the scoresheet just fifty one seconds into the middle stanza. Following the Stars’ restoration of their two-goal cushion, the Warriors began to make more of their chances; power forward Jordan Barnes finding the target just before the halfway point in the contest whilst alternate captain Shaun Kippin and forward Adam Finlinson both beat Stars’ shot stopper James Flavell in the third to see Whitley claim maximum points in what was an incredibly tense clash.

Whilst Whitley Warriors currently sit in seventh place with sixteen points from seventeen games, Billingham Stars find themselves in ninth place, having claimed just five points from the thirteen league fixtures they have played to date. As such, there is quite the margin separating the local rivals at present, a margin which the Stars will look to reduce this weekend as they aim to displace Nottingham Lions from eighth position and begin their climb away from the league placement playoff place. Despite their present situation, the Teessiders certainly have a great deal of firepower in their line-up, with alternate captain Chris Sykes racking up fourteen goals and twelve assists to find himself Billingham’s top points scorer whilst Latvian imports Deniss Baškatovs and Artūrs Ozols, player-coach Michael Bowman and captain Elder have collectively contributed sixty points to their side’s league effort. Likewise, Whitley’s alternate captain Shaun Kippin sits top of the Warriors’ points production chart with twenty six points from fourteen games whilst player-coach David Longstaff has assisted on twenty one occasions as well as chipping in with five goals across the sixteen games he has featured. Similarly, injured import Philip Edgar, forward Ben Richards, blue liner Harry Harley, captain Dean Holland and alternate captain Barnes have each hit double figures for the Warriors to ensure their team can contend against the difficult competition of NIHL North’s Division One. Further to these points scorers, Whitley will also be bolstered by the presence of returning Warrior Sam Zajac on Sunday evening, the skilled defenceman raring to go in what will be his first game for his hometown club since Whitley’s 2007-2008 campaign.

As a result of this firepower, both teams will be aware that they have what it takes to claim the bragging rights as well as maximum points this weekend and will therefore give their all to avoid defeat to their closest rivals. With the atmosphere set to be electric as is the norm for these hugely competitive contests, both the Warriors and the Stars will look to battle their way to victory in what is one of the most highly anticipated fixtures of the NIHL North schedule.   

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Speaking ahead of this fixture, Whitley’s player-coach David Longstaff noted:

“It’s a derby game so anything can happen. Hopefully we can get the result this weekend.”

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Meanwhile, alternate captain Chris Sykes took time to consider the Stars’ upcoming visit to Hillheads:

“It's a one-game weekend for the Stars and it’s a massive one against the Warriors at their rink. Last time we played, it was a really close game and well-fought. I’m hoping for the same again this Sunday. I always enjoy the derby games – it should be a good one!”

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Further to this, Warriors’ alternate captain Jordan Barnes kindly took part in a short interview, sharing his approach to this upcoming home fixture against his local rivals:

How are you feeling ahead of Billingham’s first visit to Hillheads this season?

I am excited as this is what it’s all about, the derby games. Neither team wants to lose so it’s exciting and I love the rivalry.

After receiving a game penalty against Sheffield Steeldogs last weekend, will you stick to the style of play you have been accustomed to this season or do these derby games still require you to utilise the physical aspect of the sport?

I will always play physical. That call last week was bad as far as I am concerned but that’s the way it is. My style will still be hitting and getting to the net but I know when it’s needed and this weekend is one of those times.

So far, you have almost averaged a point per game with seven goals and nine assists from seventeen games. Is this better than you expected?

Yeah, I will take a point a game every day of the week. It helps when your line has good chemistry on the ice as well and I just wanted to hopefully get as many points as I did last year to try and help the team.

Given Billingham’s recent results, can form be cast aside ahead of derby games or does the Stars’ situation make them more dangerous?

I think derby games are always tough games regardless of the results teams have been getting but they give you that little extra boost because no one wants to lose.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Looking forward to this fixture, Stars’ captain Michael Elder took time to discuss what a derby victory would mean for Billingham:

“Derby games are always tough to predict and most likely a coach’s nightmare as they most certainly don’t run to the script. They’re always fast-paced games with a lot of passion from both sides and bragging rights on the line. They’re great games to be involved in for players, fans and North East ice hockey in general. For us personally, we haven’t really had anything go our way this season for various different reasons but it’s not for the want of trying. We’re all behind each other and this is a massive game for us, not just because it’s a derby but because we need points on the board. We’ll be putting everything on the line this weekend and leaving it all out there. It should be a great game for all and hopefully we come out of it with two points.”

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Also taking time to reveal his expectations of the derby game, Warriors’ alternate captain Shaun Kippin admitted:

“I expect this to be a very hard game as always. We got lucky in the third period last game. We won the game with a few minutes left. We have been short on bodies over the last few weeks against all of the top teams. We have all our players back this week so we are at full strength. It will also be great to see Sam Zajac back in a Whitley shirt. We are very lucky to have him.”

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Last but not least, Billingham’s blue liner Ben Davison also took time to share his thoughts on this important fixture:

“It is always tough to go to the Wigwam and come away with the goods but if we stick to our game plan, the two points will be ours by the end of the night. I imagine the game will be like any derby; fast and physical. There’s a lot of talent on both teams with Whitley strengthening at the back since our last encounter with them. Let’s hope they open the doors early so faceoff isn’t delayed like usual!”

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