Now that the dust has settled from Sunday’s ‘eventful’ win in Billingham and heart rates have finally been restored to a somewhat manageable level – It’s time to look forward at what’s up next for your Blackburn Hawks. Ghouls and goblins of all sorts will possess Blackburn Arena on Sunday, as the Hawks host their annual Halloween Spooktacular game against the Widnes Wild. However, as well as the frightful festivities, Sunday’s game also marks the 35^th anniversary of Blackburn Hawks’ first ever game…

Whilst rocking different colours, a different name, and having no home ice rink – The story of Blackburn ice hockey started on October 28^th 1990, as the Blackburn Blackhawks travelled cross-country to face the Oxford City Stars. This non-import challenge match saw Pete Murray at the helm of the newly established Lancashire team, as they faced-off against an established Stars side who had been playing together for six years. The late, great North-West hockey hero Bernie Snagg led the Blackhawks to a surprise 6-3 victory against Oxford, with this inaugural game echoing the success which was to come…

That same year, the Blackburn Blackhawks’ competitive hockey journey began, playing in their first league season. Now joined by elite imports Fred Perlini, Paul Holdsworth and Andre Brassard, the Blackhawks played all their initial games on the road as the newly constructed Blackburn Arena was not yet completed. Finally, on January 26^th 1991, ice hockey was hosted in Blackburn for the first time with the Blackhawks welcoming the Oxford City Stars for a return league fixture to celebrate the opening of the Arena. The Blackhawks managed to spectacularly replicate their original 6-3 success, with Dan Holden having the honour of scoring Blackburn Arena’s first ever goal. The Blackhawks had a relatively successful first league season, finishing in 4^th place ahead of Sunderland Indians, Sheffield Sabres and Haringey Racers, but ultimately just missing out on the Play-Offs. A year later and the team would rebrand as the Blackburn Hawks we all know and love today, leading the way for ice hockey in Lancashire more than three decades later…

To commemorate this special anniversary on Sunday night, the evening will be hosted by Oz, the original arena announcer, who will introduce all the amazing on-ice action. This is all the more reason to fly down to the Hawks Nest and watch the unbeaten Blackburn Hawks face-off against the Widnes Wild on Sunday October 26^th, Face-Off: 6pm.