NEWCASTLE, UK – Newcastle Vipers have had a difficult start to the 2010/11 campaign as Danny Stewart’s side have only been able to pick up a total of 5 points from their opening 13 games of the season. Pro Hockey News got the opportunity to speak to Vipers rookie coach at a recent media day.
Despite the Vipers poor early season form it is not all doom and gloom on Tyneside as Stewart has seen many positives in his short time in the north east.
“It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster so far, some good performances from the guys and some not so good ones, we expected that from the team however inconsistency and some individual errors that have cost us in games,” Stewart said.
“The 2 performances in Murrayfield (V Edinburgh Capitals) have been the most disappointing displays so far, it’s a tough adjustment going from our tight rink at Whitley Bay to the big ice surface in Edinburgh. Our last game up there was disappointing as we had just come off the back of a great win over Hull, it’s not a long bus trip really there was no reason for us not to perform,” Stewart added.
“We didn’t play 2 bad 5 on 5, we just had some trouble on the special teams and that was the difference in the game. If you are giving a team 10 powerplays and every 1 or 2 they’re putting in the back of the net its demoralising. We’ve got to work on our special teams.”
With the overall quality of the British Elite League improving this term all of the Vipers opposition will have quality players on their roster who can take advantage of any powerplay opportunities that come their way.
“There are some skilled teams in this league, sides have 3 or 4 guys who can really score and at times we have given them way too many opportunities.”
“If you keep taking penalties even when your pk is rolling you will lose games it also means some guys aren’t getting on the ice if they aren’t on your pk units so they get out of the flow of the game as well. We’ve got to tighten up on our discipline and get better on the pk.”
Vipers have picked up a lot of unnecessary penalties so far this term defenceman John Schwarz has already almost reached 100 penalty minutes while Blair Stayzer and Patrick Forsbacka have also spent a fair bit of time in the penalty box. Pro Hockey News asked Stewart if he felt some of his players had been taking too many penalties or if it was more of a team problem.
“It’s a team issue we have guys who will take more penalty minutes than others due to their physical style, they have also had to make an adjustment to the league and the rules. We’ve got a whole team that is new to the UK and they are not used to what’s going to be called as from country to country this varies.”
“A few guys have got called on things they wouldn’t have expected to be called on. I can remember my 1st year in Coventry I had 4 or 5 10 minute misconducts in the first few months as I was so frustrated at some of the calls it’s just an adjustment that has to be made. It’s a learning curve for the guys; I think they know now that they have to stay out of the box and just play.”
Newcastle have possibly the youngest side in this seasons Elite League with a lot of players joining the Vipers straight from college hockey so it could well be the case that the team will improve consistently throughout the whole campaign as the youngsters get to grips with life in the professional game.
“College hockey is more run and gun. You look to finish your hits and score some goals in pro hockey and you can’t give other teams opportunities especially when you’re playing against skilled players as you’re making the game easy for them.”
“We are trying to be a tough side to play against and not give other teams easy chances then again that’s down to youth and inexperience and I think these guys will get a little more comfortable and confident as the season progresses.”
In the pre season exhibition games Vipers were able to pick up 2 comfortable victories against the Edinburgh Capitals which raised expectations amongst the clubs supporters. However since the League campaign began the Capitals have got the better of Newcastle on 2 occasions.
“Let’s be realistic, Edinburgh were missing 6 guys in pre season and we pretty much had a full roster – so the team we played pre season isn’t the team they have now. Kim, St Jacques and Taylor are very skilled players. We have gifted them too many goals up there in Edinburgh and too many opportunities on the powerplay.”
Stewart is now a couple of months into his stint as the Vipers player/coach. He gave us his views on how tough combining the 2 roles has been so far this term.
“It’s been tougher than I thought it would be I knew it was going to be tough and a challenge but I don’t think you know how tough it is going to be until you experience it firsthand. Especially when you’re a guy like me who normally plays a very in your face physical game. I can’t get involved in altercations as much as I’ve got to worry about what my other guys are doing out and make sure they are ready to go.”
“Dave Holland (Vipers bench coach) has helped, he’s done a good job on the bench buts it’s definitely a tough challenge but you won’t hear me moaning about it.”
An injury to import forward Jaro Rzeszutko has meant that Danny Stewart and Paul Sample have both spent time on the 2nd line in the last few games. Pro Hockey News asked Coach Stewart how loss of the talented left winger has affected Vipers.
“I’ve had to play a lot more than I was expecting, however at whichever club you’re at whenever there’s injuries guys have to step and sometimes play a different role. We looked to replace Rzeszutko but we couldn’t find anyone to replace him in the short term.”
“There is the possibility that he could well back for the Halloween Havoc weekend. It would be good to get him back but when you have an injury the other guys on the team have to step up and play that much better.”
On the flip side, Pro Hockey News questioned Stewart what were the most pleasing aspects of Newcastle’s campaign so far.
“The games in which we’ve come together and bought into what we want to do. We’ve had good performances against Brahehead on the road and at home and obviously also the Hull game. We had a solid game up at Coventry as well we just couldn’t finish and capitalise when we were on the powerplay we were in the game there until the last couple of minutes. When the team does buy into what we are doing we are capable of competing with the other teams.”
In the recent victory over Hull Stingrays at Hillheads, Vipers went into a 3-0 lead early in the game. The home supporters really got behind the team and created a tremendous atmosphere in the stands we asked Danny if the players are aware of the support from the fans.
“It’s too small a venue not to notice it. Its loud and it makes it tough when I’m trying to call things out to my players on the ice as they can’t hear me, it’s definitely a boost for us when we hear that noise.”
The Vipers are keen to attract as many fans as possible to Whitley Bay to see Newcastle take on the best sides in British hockey. The club has a special Halloween Havoc promotion this weekend (Saturday 30th October) and then the Drive for 5 initiative next month. Do promotions like this impact upon the players?
“For sure, we have about 1000 here for Hull and it was loud. If you start putting a couple of thousand or 25 hundred in this rink you aren’t going to be able to hear anything. It’ll defiantly be tougher for other teams.”
Vipers face the Belfast Giants at Hillheads this Saturday (30th October – face off 7pm) as part of the clubs Halloween Havoc weekend. Vipers will be wearing one off Halloween shirts for this clash and fans are encouraged to come along in fancy dress. Children under 16 are admitted free of charge providing they come along with a full adult paying. Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
