Whitley Warriors will make the short journey down to Teesside this Saturday to take on local rivals the Billingham Stars in a challenge match up before the play offs get underway the following weekend up in Dumfries, Scotland.
Warriors will have Head Coach Simon Leach and youngsters Ben Richards and Callum Read back on their bench as all 3 missed Whitley’s last game due to their involvement in the GB under 18’s World Championships tournament.
The Stars Warriors clash is both teams final match up before the play offs get underway and both sides are sure to want to go into the seasons showpiece event on the back of a victory in what could be the final north east derby of the 2013/14 NIHL North Moralee Conference campaign. To date Whitley have recorded 3 victories over the Stars this term with Billingham claiming 2 successes however all games between the 2 sides to date have been won by the team with home advantage.
Whitley skipper Daniel Good shared his thoughts about this weekend’s clash with Billingham and also looked ahead to the play off weekend up at Solway Sharks home rink the Dumfries Ice Bowl.
“The Billingham game is there to keep us fit and sharp and it gives us a chance to prepare for the play offs. We have a great atmosphere in our dressing room as everyone is calm and happy.
“Looking ahead to the play offs we are the underdogs going into a game against a team who comfortably won the league on their home ice with a lunch time face off. But with the team we have and based on the previous years I’ve played with Warriors I know we are a team that can cause an upset.
“On our day we can beat any team in this league we just need to be ready when play offs get underway, take our chances when they come and play to our true potential.”
Warriors challenge game against Billingham this Saturday is a 6.30pm face off on Teesside. For those Whitley fans who are interested in attending play off weekend in Dumfries over the weekend of April 12th and 13th tickets can still be bought either for the whole weekend £25 (for all 3 games) or for £10 per game via the following website http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/search/Dumfries+Ice+Bowl+Dumfries. It would be great to see as many Warriors fans as possible at the first ever play off weekend that has been held for NIHL North.