DEESIDE DRAGONS have shown they can compete with the very best.

A regular message from assistant head coach Matt Compton this season has been the sense that the Dragons can give any NIHL Division One North a real game.

As the perfect example of this, Deeside travelled to leaders Billingham Stars for their latest league encounter and they ran out deserved 7-4 winners.

The two sides faced each other in North Wales last month and the Dragons were competitive for 50 minutes of the encounter before the Stars eventually shone in a 5-2 outcome.

This time out, Billingham made a bright start to build-up a 2-1 advantage by the end of the first period, but the determined Dragons didn’t let them get out of sight and goals from Alex Parry, Matt Wainwright, Ross Kennedy and Jakub Hájek made sure it was four-apiece at the end of the second period.

The closing period was all about the Dragons and they scored three times without reply to complete a memorable triumph.

Petr Valusiak, Kennedy and Wainwright added these efforts, with the Compton saying: “What I said to the lads on the way back is sometimes you chisel out wins, but at points we dominated them. Everybody had a impact on the game.”

Dragons marked the return to action of Jared Dickinson in the best possible fashion.

In a post on Facebook, the club said: “After two months off the ice, Jared Dickinson returns for the Dragons and picks up the MVP award for Deeside. What a statement win against the league leaders!”

Deeside discovered late last week that Dickinson would be able to return to the ice and a club statement read: “The Deeside Dragons is pleased to announce the conclusion of the North Wales Police investigation into an alleged incident on January 7, 2024, involving Deeside Dragons player Jared Dickinson.

“After a thorough investigation regarding the event that occurred during a match against the Blackburn Hawks, North Wales Police have determined to take No Further Action (NFA) against Jared Dickinson.

“Following this decision by the police, the English Ice Hockey Association has immediately lifted the suspension on Jared Dickinson, allowing him to return to play.

The club wholeheartedly endorses this decision and will support Mr Dickinson in a return to play protocol.”

The statement added: “The Deeside Dragons remain dedicated to the sport of ice hockey, the welfare of our players, coaches and fans, and upholding the values of fairness and safety in competition.

“We are eager to move forward from this incident and continue our positive contribution to the ice hockey community.

“For the time being, the club will not be making any further statements regarding this matter until our review is fully complete.”

Blackburn enjoyed a double win over Widnes Wild at the weekend with 10-3 and 7-3 victories.

Other results: Nottingham Lions 2 Hull Jets 3; Whitley Warriors 6 Solihull Barons 2.