Ice Hockey
Barons face Telford test

Buy photos » Barons are pictured here defending frantically the last time they met Telford. (s)

SOLIHULL Barons will bid to start 2012 with a bang when they welcome Telford Titans to Hobs Moat Road on Sunday (6pm).

Barons have had a mixed campaign so far, recovering from an early season slump to record a run of only one defeat in five games before Christmas, and forward Dale Buckland is hungry for more.

“We haven’t reached our potential yet,” he said.

“It is the main goal to stay up, and if we keep improving then I think we will. We’ll do anything to stay up and I think it’s achievable.

“We’ve played with the best in the league so we’re fine. I think we’ll be fine at the end.”

Buckland has been ever present in the Barons side this season and with such a vital rivalry game being staged as the first match of the year, he cannot wait to get back into action.

“It is a Midlands derby so I can’t wait,” he said.

“To be honest, the last few training sessions have been all about the lads. We’ve been working hard and it’s been about getting us into a positive frame of mind.

“It’s a new year and we will be looking to leave the last 18 games behind us and focus on each team as we play them. But we do need to start the year with two points.

“The games between us and Telford have always been close and they have been lucky with the results they’ve had. We will be looking to come out with the two points on Sunday.”

Tickets for the clash are priced £6 for adults and £3 for concessions.