Vipers spirited home displays continue

NEWCASTLE, UK – Newcastle Vipers may have lost a number of experienced imports during the last few weeks however Danny Stewart’s side are still giving every side who visit Hillheads a tough game. Vipers have been beaten by a single goal in both of their recent 2 home games going down 5-4 to the Braehead Clan before losing out to the odd goal in 5 against the Dundee Stars.

 
Newcastle’s away form has dramatically suffered since the club lost the services of the likes of Jamie Carroll, Patrick Forsbacka and Dale Mahovsky. Vipers went down to a 9-0 midweek hammering in Sheffield and the Tyneside outfit also suffered a heavy 8-1 defeat when they travelled across the Irish sea to take on the Giants on Sunday evening. However Danny Stewart has somehow been able to inspire his small roster of players to continue to produce well drilled competitive hockey in the clubs compact Hillheads Rink at Whitley Bay.
 
Vipers will be hoping for a large crowd this coming Wednesday (January 26^th) as Newcastle host Elite League big spenders Nottingham Panthers in the 1^st leg of the Challenge Cup Semi Final. Newcastle do not have the best of records against Corey Neilson’s star studded line up as the East Midlanders have picked up victories on the 3 occasions the sides have met so far this campaign.

 
Player/Coach Danny Stewart will be hoping that his side can take head into the National Ice Centre next Sunday at least on level terms with Nottingham as Vipers look to get the better of the Panthers over the course of the 2 legged semi final.   Nottingham appear to be out of the Elite League title race at this moment in time so it would seem likely that Panthers supermo Corey Neilson will be going all out to secure a spot in the Challenge Cup Final before his side can re-group and look towards the end of season Play Offs in April.
Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
Images courtesy of Paul Lynch Photography