NEWCASTLE, UK – Vipers will be travelling to the East Midlands this midweek as Danny Stewart’s Newcastle side are scheduled to face the Nottingham Panthers in Elite League action on Wednesday evening (23rd February face off 7.30pm) before taking on the Dundee Stars at Hillheads Ice Rink on Saturday night (26th February).
Vipers trip to Nottingham will be their first visit to the National Ice Centre since Panthers hammered Newcastle 15-0 there in the 2nd leg of the Challenge Cup Semi Final. Vipers were able to gain some revenge on the side from the lace city shortly after the NIC debacle as Newcastle came from 4-1 down to claim a thrilling 6-5 victory over Corey Neilson’s men in a Elite League clash at Whitley Bay.
Player/Coach Danny Stewart
It is hoped that Newcastle may be able to call on a number of players they currently have on 2 way deals for the Nottingham and Dundee games. Whitley Bays next competitive game is not until Sunday so it is hoped that the Warriors Adam Reynolds, DJ Good and Dan Harris can all ice for Vipers in both of the upcoming games.
It is also possible that some of the Northern Stars players who are on 2 way deals could make the trip to Nottingham in midweek though the likes of Andy Finn, Dan Pye, Alex Lawson and Matt Sellars are unlikely to be available at the weekend as Northern have an away fixture of their own against the Coventry ENL Blaze.
Vipers need to pick up a win in regulation time on Sunday against Dundee if Danny Stewart’s men want to realistically remain in the play off picture. Newcastle are currently 5 points behind the Scottish side (who occupy the last play off spot) though it has to be remembered that there are 3 Newcastle/Dundee clashes between now and the end of the campaign.
Youngster Alex Lawson
Much credit must be given to Vipers rookie player/coach Danny Stewart for the fact that Newcastle are still in the play off race despite all of the off ice problems that have affected the Tyneside organisation. A threadbare roster has continued to battle against every side they have come up against and victories over the likes of Belfast and Nottingham demonstrate that Stewart has every one of his players giving his all for the Vipers cause.
Newcastle’s game against Dundee this weekend has been billed as ‘Pink in the Rink’ as the Vipers looks to raise awareness and as much cash as possible for Macmillan Cancer Support. Fans have been asked to wear items of pink clothing for the Dundee game this Saturday which faces off at 7pm, tickets are available right up until face off.
Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
Images courtesy of Paul Lynch Photography
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