NEWCASTLE,U.K- Elte league Newcastle Vipers go into this weekend’s (Nov 22) double header with Sheffield Steelers knowing that they need to take a positive result from Sunday’s league encounter to get their 2008-09 season going again.
Vipers have not taken any points from the last two weekend’s going down 3-1 to Nottingham Panthers in their only fixture last weekend which followed Coach Wilson’s side losing twice to Coventry Blaze the weekend before. Vipers take on Steelers in the Challenge Cup this Saturday (Nov 22) away from home before welcoming the Steelers to the Metro Radio Arena a day later. The Vipers meaningless Challenge Cup game against Steelers on Saturday night will give Wilson the opportunity to try out new lines and give many of the British players a greater amount of ice time. Richie Lawson could well replace Andre Verner between the posts for the Cup clash so that Verner can be rested ahead of the league match up as the Vipers netminder has faced more shots than any other goaltender in the Elite League this season.
A victory on Saturday would be a great confidence booster to a roster of players who are struggling to live up to expectations. Vipers currently lie seventh in the Elite League, only two points ahead of Edinburgh Capitals in eigth position and four points better off than the Basingstoke Bison in ninth. The Vipers do have three games in hand on both of these teams but after such a dreadful run of recent form many fans are beginning to get concerned that a season which started so promisingly could well fall apart if results aren’t turned around quickly.
The signing of former San Jose Shark and former Belfast Giant player coach Ed Courtenay has shown fans that the club clearly want to make progress this season as Courtenay has great pedigree and will not come cheaply. Ed brings great experience and skill to the team and as last Sundays superbly taken goal shows he still has plenty left to offer out on the ice. It is hoped Ed and fellow new signing Jeff Hutchins can form a dangerous partnership along with Adam Griffith on what looks to be a extremely dangerous line. Wilson needs to create two effective scoring lines if Vipers are to pull away from the bottom half of the table. With attacking players of the calibre of Courtenay, Longstaff, Griffith and Derek Campbell the Vipers should be a feared team however on recent form the Tyneside based outfit could be left fighting to capture to a play off spot come the end of the season. Contact the author at Chris.mckenzie@prohockeynews.com
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