NEWCASTLE,U.K-Elite league Newcastle Vipers have a full roster to call on for the first time this season for the up coming weekends game (Sept 13 and 14) against Belfast Giants and Basingstoke Bison. Vipers travel to the Odyssey Arena on Saturday evening before hosting the Bison on Tyneside on Sunday.
Head-coach Wilson will be looking to pick up points this weekend after his team only picked up a solitary point from last weekends two games. Vipers do now have a full complement of players to run with though as American forward Rob Rankin finally made it to the UK this week after Visa and travel problems. The arrival of Rankin will give the top two lines greater balance and allow forward Andre Payette to switch to his customary enforcer role on the third line.
Vipers made several interesting signings over the summer and the Newcastle franchise could certainly surprise quite a few fans this season as quality players such as Verner, McAllister and Griffith will all make their mark in the British game. Verner has already shown that he could well be the netminding find of the year with great save percentages in the exhibition game at home against Coventry Blaze and last Saturdays defeat to the Nottingham Panthers. Griffith found the net twice against Phoenix last Sunday and his all action style is already making him a favourite amongst the fans in the northeast while McAllister adds great presence at the back.
Vipers Derek Campbell (Photo by Mark Tredgold)
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