Widnes to host a multi-match weekend treat for fans of ice hockey

THE Planet Ice rink at Widnes will be hosting its first-ever recreational ice hockey tournament this weekend offering fans the opportunity to escape the heat outside and cheer on their favourite teams in cooler surroundings.

The three Widnes-based teams – the Riverside Raiders, Halton Huskies and Earle Road Elks will lock horns against outfits from Blackburn, Altrincham and Coventry in a 10-team jamboree of competitive ice hockey played over two days.

There are two separate competitions – A and B.

The Raiders will take on the Blackpool Seagulls, Altrincham Jets, Wyre Seagulls and Coventry Snipers in Competition A while the Huskies and Elks line-up in Competition B alongside the Blackburn Buccaneers, Coventry Centurions and Trafford Thunder.

Each team plays the others in their group once in short format games and the event finishes with finals for the top teams in each competition group on the Sunday evening.

It should be an entertaining weekend with lots of great ice hockey being played – and a total of 24 games over the two days. Many of the rec teams boast former NIHL experienced players on their rosters and, in the case of the Blackpool Seagulls, several players from the Heineken British League period as well.

Play on both days faces-off at 1.25pm with the Saturday games finishing at 8.30pm and the Sunday contests at 9.30pm.

Doors open for spectators at 1pm and tickets are available on the door.