NEWCASTLE, UK – Newcastle face the Edinburgh Capitals twice this weekend and if the Vipers were able to take the maximum haul of 4 points from these two games Coach Rob Wilson’s side would move ahead of the Caps in the Elite League standings. Edinburgh’s recent superb form has seen the Scottish side move ahead of both the Sheffield Steelers and the Vipers in the league table and if Vipers are to reclaim 5th spot by the end of the regular season they need to be at the top of their game when they face the Capitals in this weekend’s double header.
Edinburgh have had the upper hand when they have taken on the Vipers so far this season as Newcastle have not tasted success in the 6 League and Challenge Cup games that the 2 sides have contested. Vipers did however get the better of Doug Christiansen’s side back in October last year in the 20/20 hockey fest tournament at Sheffield which demonstrates that the Tyneside based outfit can outwit the well drilled Caps at times.
Coach Wilson leading his short band of men
On the last occasion these 2 sides met Vipers went down to a 5-4 defeat at Hillheads though it does have to be noted that Newcastle had just lost the services of Tyler Kindle and Mark Rooneem and that club captain David Longstaff was ruled out due to injury which left Coach Wilson struggling to ice 2 experienced forward lines. Newcastle still only have 4 import forwards on the books. However, the side have had a number of weeks to work on their lines and special team plays so it is hoped that these factors can help the Vipers to overcome the Capitals this weekend.
Earlier this campaign it appeared that Newcastle were likely to finish in either 4th or 5th position in the Elite League after the Vipers made an encouraging start to the season. However since then Coach Wilson’s side have lost a number of players due a variety of reasons which has weakened Newcastle’s roster significantly. Vipers have been able to strengthen their squad by brining in blue liner Ryan Jorde and forward Brent Hughes so it is possible that side from the north east could start the climb the league standings now that they are not as short benched.
Capitals and Vipers set to do battle both nights (Photo Paul Lynch)
Both the Vipers and the Caps will be aiming for a 5th place finish in the Elite League as both organisations know that 5th spot would in all likelihood lead to a play off encounter against the Cardiff Devils. A series of games against the Devils would be highly preferable to a tie against either the highly skilled Belfast Giants or the big spending Nottingham Panthers which is likely to await the side finishing in 6th position.
Many feel Newcastle would have a great opportunity to make the finals weekend if they faced Cardiff in the quarter finals of the Play Offs. The Devils’ form away from their own barn has been awful this season so if Newcastle were able to put in hard working gritty display in South Wales then the Vipers would have to fancy their chances of beating Gerard Adams side at Whitley Bay.
Contact the author Chris.MacKenzie@Prohockeynews.com
