NEWCASTLE,U.K- Elite league Newcastle Vipers head into this weekends game with only four defenseman after Burt Henderson was injured in last Saturdays home victory over the Belfast Giants. Vipers managed to pick up two points from their back to back games against the Giants even though they were heavily out shot in both encounters.
Andre Verner again impressing between the posts for the Tyneside outfit. Verner could be facing even more rubber this weekend though with one of the Vipers main blueliner being ruled out for at least the next few weeks.
Coach Wilson is actively trying to recruit a replacement but Vipers will surely have to go into the game with Manchester Phoenix game with Wilson, Mark Gouett, Chris McAllister and Jez Lundin as the quartet of blue liners available. Wilson himself has had an impressive start to the season picking up 7 points (2 goals and 5 assists) to jointly lead the team on scoring after six games. The one aspect that has let the player-coaches game down is a lack of discipline, which has seen him pick up 43 penalty minutes already this season. Vipers’ under strength defense cannot afford to be missing the greatly experienced former Team Great Britain international if they are to come away with the points against Phoenix at home this Saturday (Sept 28) before a road trip to Edinburgh Capitals on Sunday evening.
Former NHLer Chris McAllister has had a slow start to the new season having yet to pick up any points and has looked a little slow and unable to cope with the leagues quicker players in the first few weeks of the season. It is hoped he is just taking a little while to settle on his return to Tyneside as a player with his pedigree should be a great addition to the roster of the North East side.
Another player looking to impress this coming weekend will be Tyler Willis who so far has 1+1 from the six games played. Willis impressively set up Jez Lundin last Sunday against Belfast Giants but the gritty winger isn’t living up to his billing so far this term. Willis is willing to drop the gloves but with Payette, Derek Campbell, McAllister, Griffith and Holland all in the roster Willis was recruited for his points scoring ability as much as his toughness. Contact the author at Chris.mckenzie@prohockeynews.com
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