Sunday night sees the Widnes Wild return home for the first time since April, with local rivals the Deeside Dragons being the opposition at Silver Blades Widnes, with a 17:30 face-off .

The Wild host a Dragons team that have certainly bolstered their roster, they are a team that will contest the league title with the Wild throughout the season.

Sunday’s game is sure to be posted on every local hockey fans fixtures list, the excitement has been growing throughout the summer in anticipation for the first home game, for it to be against the Dragons just adds to the thrill.

The Wild started their NIHL Laidler Conference campaign with a comfortable 6-0 victory on the road against Coventry Blaze.

The game started at a blistering pace with both sides looking to take the lead, but it was the travelling side who stamped their authority within the game by dominating and winning the 2nd period 4-0 at the Skydome.

Closing out the 3rd period and sealing the 2 points was exactly the start that Coach Scott McKenzie was looking for.

After a refreshing summer and a high stream of players leaving and fresh faces coming into the fold, the Wild have managed their time well and trained extensively.

It is never easy to get together new players and create new attacking/ defence lines, but the team prove they can do it and can do it well.

It was clear to see in Coventry and other friendly games of the season that organisation and tactical experience has been made its presence within the squad.

Sunday’s game will see the Deeside side travel to Silver Blades Widnes having suffered two losses to the start of their season, a game including the Telford Tigers NIHL.

How much can be read into those results is for the fans to decide.

The Dragons have brought in some talented players, none other than ex-Wild player Filip Supa. The electricity surrounding his move is sure to throw up some high expectations and surge the already eager fans.

After a long wait for Wild fans, ice hockey is back in Widnes and Halton. What better way to start it than with a local derby against league title contenders. With the start the Widnes Wild has had this season, optimism is very much in the air.