Billingham Stars director of coaching Terry Ward says his side got their pride back after finishing a chalk and cheese double header against Sutton Sting on a high note.
The Ultimate Window-sponsored Stars suffered a resounding 8-1 defeat at IceSheffield on Saturday but rebounded on Sunday night to claim a hard-fought 2-0 victory at Billingham Forum.
Saturday’s trip down the M1 could not have got off to a worse start for the visitors when former Sting forward Chris Sykes was ejected from the game after just 21 seconds, leaving the Stars to defend a five-minute major penalty.
Billingham defended deep and eventually succumbed with little over three minutes gone when James Spurr found Simon Offord free in front of James Flavell’s net.
The Sting doubled their lead through Spurr as they again capitalised on having the man advantage, and two goals in two minutes from Vjaleslavs Movko and James Goodman widened the gap to 4-0 before the 27-minute mark.
Just past the halfway point, Thomas Stuart-Dant finally got the visitors on the score sheet when he tipped in a rocket shot from Garry Dowd.
The Stars joy was short-lived as Nathaniel Rose fired straight through Flavell for 5-1 in the 34th minute.
Reece Cairney-Witter hit Sutton’s sixth when the puck bobbled unkindly in front of Flavell.
And the Billingham defence went missing when Mark Watson went in goal for the third period, allowing Rose to tap in his second of the game.
Spurr then made it a miserable journey home for the Stars, the final score being a reflection of an inadequate away performance.
The Stars needed a massive reaction on Sunday and from the first drop of the puck it was apparent that Billingham meant business
The home side tested Sutton netminder Dmitri Zimozdra with 15 shots, although it It took the Teessiders until the 24th minute to get the go-ahead goal.
Man-of-the-match Stuart-Dant converted a rebound from the tightest of angles into the Russian keeper’s top corner.
After some sustained Stars pressure, Scott Ward was set up beautifully by captain Paul Windridge in the 31st minute, and his superb finish increased Billingham’s lead.
Andy Munroe stung Zimozdra’s glove in the 45th minute, and further chances went begging at both ends.
Stars director of coaching Ward was pleased to see more passion and pride from his players after the manner of Saturday’s defeat.
“We changed the lines around like we said we would and we changed our whole outlook,” he said.
“We were at our worst on Saturday, possibly the worst we’ve ever been.
“We had to put a bit of pride and passion and a bit of aggression into Sunday and I think we did that. The passion was there, and it will be there for the rest of the year.”
Billingham take on EPL opposition in the British Challenge Cup on Sunday when they face Sheffield Steeldogs at the Forum (6.30pm).
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