NEWCASTLE, UK – Newcastle Vipers are currently facing numerous problems both on and off the ice. The club are struggling financially while the on ice product has also not been good as Vipers currently sit 9th in the Elite League standings.
Newcastle moved from the Newcastle Arena to Hillheads Ice Rink in Whitley Bay on a permanent basis at the start of the 2010/11 campaign. This change in venue appears to have had a detrimental effect on the clubs attendances as it seems that the rinks perceived poor facilities and out of town location as two of the main reasons Vipers attendances have suffered this season.
Newcastle Vipers home ice.
A string of poor results at the start of the term will no doubt have also played a part in the falling attendance figures as the Vipers have struggled to compete with many Elite League sides this term. Newcastle were able to give their fans something to cheer about this past weekend though when Danny Stewart’s side picked up a point away at Dundee before claiming a superb 3-1 victory over the current Elite League Champions the Coventry Blaze.
Vipers were well below full strength for the clash with Coventry. Danny Stewart played on d once again while young British forwards such as Jamie Tinsley and Dean Holland took regular shifts to lessen the workload on the sides more gifted offensive players. Newcastle played a very disciplined hard working game that seemed to frustrate the Blaze.
Stewart leads his side forward.
Vipers took the lead during the halfway through the 2nd period when Stewart beat Jaeger from distance on the power play. Prpich was able to double his sides lead just seconds before the end of the stanza when Jaeger gave up a rebound and the former Cardiff Devil fired home his first goal for his new side.
The third period was a nervy affair for Newcastle however the whole side continued to give their all while net minder Charlie Effinger stood on his head to turn away numerous solid efforts from the Blaze. Effinger was finally beaten after 56 minutes when hot shot Luke Fulghum got the better of the American goalie.
Effinger keeps the Blaze at bay.
Coventry swapped their forward lines around as coach Paul Thompson looked to find that elusive offensive spark however Blaze could not get the better of Effinger for a second time and the Vipers win was sealed then Jamie Carroll slotted home a empty net strike with around 30 seconds of play remaining.
Newcastle next home game is on Tuesday (7th December) night against the Dundee Stars in the Challenge Cup. Vipers are hoping that many fans will make their way down to Whitley Bay to support their side as Newcastle still have a realistic opportunity to progress into the semi finals of this competition.
Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
Images courtesy of Paul Lynch Photography.
