As we kickstart 2024, it is a double header we are faced with to open up the year. A home and an away weekend before two further weekends off sees us face the Sting at home followed by the Bulldogs away. The NIHL Blaze have picked up points in seven of the last eight games and they look to continue their good form.

Firstly on Saturday is the Sutton Sting who have won the last 6 meetings between these two sides. The Sting make up three of the four fixtures this month which includes a Cup Semi-Final double header during the last weekend of the month. But first, two league points up for grabs, at the Skydome, on Satuday.

This Season's Scores:

Sting 6-4 NIHL Blaze (L)

NIHL Blaze 3-5 Sting (L)

The Sting are currently tied at the top with the Tigers but the Tigers have two games in hand and are also winning on Head-To-Head but 34 points through 20 games for the Sting puts them in a healthy second. We sit in third, just 5 points behind the top two with 29 points. The Sting also lead the league in goals scord with a hefty 152 goals scored in those 20 games, only conceding 50. We currently sit at a +21 in that stat, scoring 79 and conceding 58. Leading the way with points so far are Morgan Glasby (20+21) and Matt Jeffcock (18+19). Leading the way for the Blaze is Daniel Kent (8+18) and Harrison Sumner (12+6).

Looking to finally win a game and take down the Sting, the NIHL Blaze face off against Sutton at 18:30, on Saturday, at the Skydome.

Second game of the weekend is on the road at the Braford Ice Arena. The NIHL Blaze have won both meetings between these two teams so far, both being close games. The final trip up to Bradford awaits the Blaze as their last league game till February.

This Season's Scores:

NIHL Blaze 4-3 Bulldogs (OT)

Bulldogs 3-5 NIHL Blaze

The Bulldogs are currently sat down in seventh in the table 11 points through 17 games played with 5 wins, 11 losses and 1 overtime loss leaves them 9 points off of top four. The Bulldogs have scored 65 goals through their 17 games but conceded 107 in the process. Josh Stockton leads the way for the Bulldogs with 18+20 followed by Connor Medley with 19+17. The Bulldogs will look to snap their three game losing streak on Sunday.

The second game of the weekend will see the NIHL Blaze take on the Bradford Bulldogs at 17:30, on Sunday, at the Bradford Ice Arena.