(Image permission: Linda Crabtree)
LANCASHIRE, UK – There is a busy weekend ahead in NIHL North, with 14 league games scheduled to take place in Moralee D1 and Laidler D2.
A couple of matches in the NIHL North Cup add further variety, but the main focus will undoubtedly be on important league games in each division.
Read on as we take a look at three standout fixtures from the weekend ahead.
Billingham Stars v Hull Pirates – D1 – Saturday
Billingham have had a difficult time of things over the past few weeks, losing nine games in a row in the league and cup.
However, they produced a much-improved performance against Telford Tigers in the cup last Sunday and they will be eager to build on that against Hull.
The two sides have met twice in the cup this season, with the Pirates winning 6-2 on home ice and 7-4 at the Forum.
Jason Hewitt’s side have won all seven league games this season, conceding just nine goals, and they will fancy their chances of extending that run this weekend.
Prediction: Billingham 3-6 Hull
Solway Sharks v Blackburn Hawks – D1 – Saturday
Solway have reeled off four league wins in a row to move up to second in the table behind Sheffield Steeldogs.
The Sharks finished fourth behind the former EPL teams last season and appear best placed of the original NIHL clubs to push that trio harder this time around.
Blackburn have been disappointing this season, winning just three out of seven games in the league and two out of eight cup matches.
Solway have beaten the Hawks twice in the cup this term and should add another victory at the Dumfries Ice Bowl on Saturday.
Prediction: Solway 5-3 Blackburn
Sheffield Senators v Hull Jets – D2 – Sunday
Both sides head into the weekend hoping to crank up the pressure on Widnes Wild at the top of the D2 standings.
Hull are just a point behind Widnes, with the Senators a further three points adrift but with games in hand on their title rivals.
The Jets have won five in a row after a sticky start to the season, while the Senators have racked up seven victories on the spin after losing their opening two games.
Hull have already lost twice against Sheffield this term and they will be keen to get a win on the board against their Yorkshire rivals.
Prediction: Sheffield 4-5 Hull (SO)
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Moralee D1
Saturday
Billingham Stars v Hull Pirates
Solihull Barons v Sheffield Steeldogs
Solway Sharks v Blackburn Hawks
Sutton Sting v Telford Tigers
Sunday
Blackburn Hawks v Sutton Sting
Telford Tigers v Billingham Stars
Whitley Warriors v Nottingham Lions
Laidler D2
Saturday
Altrincham Aces v Sheffield Senators
Blackburn Hawks 2 v Coventry Blaze NIHL
Bradford Bulldogs v Telford Tigers 2
Hull Jets v Deeside Dragons
Sunday
Deeside Dragons v Altrincham Aces
Sheffield Senators v Hull Jets
Widnes Wild v Coventry Blaze NIHL
NIHL North Cup
Sunday
Hull Pirates v Murrayfield Racers
Sheffield Steeldogs v Solway Sharks
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