NEWCASTLE,U.K- Newcastle Vipers have had to play two line hockey for the past few games due to the limitations their roster is imposing on them. Injuries to both Jeff Hutchins and Dean Holland has meant that former NHL giant defenseman Chris McAllister has had a spell playing out on the wing. McAllister had briefly played their earlier in his career but the big blue liner didn’t look particularly comfortable in his new attacking role for the Vipers. Coach Wilson decided to mix things up and try McAllister on the wing as his side have plenty of defensive cover while they have few options up front. Vipers have four import defenseman along with young Great Britain prospect Jez Lundin meaning that the Newcastle based side are adequately covered at the back. The loss of Todd Griffith shortly before the transfer deadline limited the team offensively and due to financial constraints the club were unable to bring in a replacement when he departed. Vipers now only have seven senior forwards on the clubs books, the scoring line of Hutchins, Courtenay and Derek Campbell is the main offensive weapon. While the second line consists of Longstaff, Rankin and normally either the speedy youngster Ben Campbell or Canadian enforcer Andre Payette. Dean Holland is the other forward on the roster though he has been out of action in the last couple of weeks injured. Vipers should finish seventh in the Elite League this season unless their form completely capitulates and Coach Wilson will be hoping to have a fully fit squad to choose from for the Play Off Quarter finals. It seems that either Nottingham Panthers, Belfast Giants or Coventry Blaze will be the Vipers opponents and the north east side will have to be on top of their game to make to Finals weekend at the NIC in Nottingham. Vipers are yet to taste success against Panthers or Blaze in the league this year while a solitary win against Giants in five games will not fill the fans full of confidence ahead of the post season. If Vipers did slip to eighth a double header against Sheffield Steelers surprisingly looks a more winnable tie given that Coach Wilson’s team have four points out of six against the Steelers so far this campaign.
Contact the author at Chris.mckenzie@prohockeynews.com
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