Billingham Stars hope to continue their recent league form when they face reigning champions Solway Sharks tomorrow at the Forum (face-off 6.30pm).
The Ultimate Windows-sponsored Stars return to National Ice Hockey League (North) Moralee Division One action desperate to stay in touch with leaders Blackburn Hawks.
However, with both Billingham and tomorrow’s visitors yet to find any consistency this season, Stars general manager Allen Flavell admitted he can see parallels between the two sides.
“Solway are struggling this season – they have been missing crucial players in the big games”, Flavell said.
“We have the same problem – inconsistency is costing us. We get a result one week then the next we switch off for spells and we’re back to square one.
“That’s the difference and that’s why Blackburn are top right now, because they are the only ones putting together a string of results.
“The Sharks are still a very good side and we’ll need to be right on top of our game to get a result.
“We’ve worked hard in training this week and looked at certain areas that need improvement. On our day we’re capable of getting a win and we need it to stay in touch at the top.”
Solway find themselves in unfamiliar territory, languishing in fifth position after a slow start.
The Dumfries-based outfit had limited success in recruiting new blood over the summer, and consequently their short bench has been punished.
However, as Billingham have already found out to their cost, a Sharks team with their backs against the wall can be dangerous, and since the two teams last met head coach Martin Grubb has finally managed to get the bodies he needs to put up a serious challenge.
New faces include two imports in New Zealander Joshua Hay and imposing Belgian defenceman Jens Engelen, plus Frazer Goldie has returned after a prolonged absence.
Recent results have shown some improvement, but their loss in Blackburn last weekend means the reverse fixture in Dumfries tonight will have a big say in whether Solway will be in the mix to retain their title.
Meanwhile the Stars find themselves looking to bounce back from another poor result in the British Challenge Cup last weekend, when a final period switch-off saw Blackburn record their third win over the Teessiders this season.
Although the Hawks are favourites for the league title, Billingham more than matched their Lancashire rivals for two periods, but defensive errors in the final session were clinically punished.
Billingham expect to be missing Garry Dowd tomorrow after he broke a bone in his hand palming the puck out of mid-air against Blackburn, while Callum Davies is doubtful after he took a stick in the back in the same game.
On the plus side, both Paul Windridge and Scott Ward should be available, and long-term back injury victim Jack Davies has resumed training. Jamie Pattison is also nearing a return to action from his shoulder injury.
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