Vipers title hopes looking strong

NEWCASTLE, UK – Newcastle Vipers early season form has seen the Tyneside team mentioned as possible title contenders this year. Coach Rob Wilson’s side face Elite League champions the Sheffield Steelers and the ever competitive Coventry Blaze this weekend in a home double header. These games against 2 of the best teams in Britain will provide fans with a good guide as to whether Vipers have the quality to be able to challenge for honours this campaign.
Vipers appear to have recruited well defensively with a good blend of stay at home blue liners and offensive d men. Mark Gouett who has now been in the north east for a number of seasons always protects his netminder well while players such as Jeramie Domish and Tyler Kindle are able to contribute offensively with dashs forward from defence.

Starting net minder Michel Robinson has got his Newcastle career off to a great start. His best performance of the season so far came when he shut out the Belfast Giants last Sunday evening. Robinson had a mixed term in 2008/9 as he was gassed at Edinburgh after some dismal displays but then posted some impressive stats down at the NIC for the Nottingham Panthers. Many fans expected Robinson to stay with the Panthers however Corey Neilson decided to release the popular goaltender who will be looking to prove he is   still one of the top netminders in the Elite League with Newcastle this campaign.
Offensively Newcastle have been just as impressive with British stalwart David Longstaff once again racking up a good number of points for the Vipers and with the introduction of Jason Tejchma, Matic Kralj and Michael Berry. Vipers appears to have a clutch of players who are all very capable forward players.
Newcastle will take on Paul Thompson’s Coventry Blaze for the first time this season at the Metro Radio Arena on Saturday evening. Blaze have assembled a superb array of offensive talent on their roster and Robinson will have to be at his best to keep the likes of Adam Calder, Dan Carlsson, Greg Owen, Derek Campbell and Greg Chambers at bay. Blaze have only played 3 league games as yet this season winning 2 and losing 1 so it is hard to evaluate just how strong the Sky Dome side appear to be. One thing is for sure no team ever gets an easy game against a side coached by Paul Thompson.
Sunday’s opponents the Sheffield Steelers have got their season off to a mixed start by their own high standards and Coach Dave Matsos will not be happy to only have 5 points from their first 5 games of the campaign. Steelers built last years success on a superb defence and the departure of Player of the Year Jody Lehmann in nets and Steve Munn on the blue line has no doubt had a major impact on the Steelers form this term.
If Vipers could achieve a positive result in both of these games, the top sides in the Elite League would have to start to look at Newcastle as possible players in this years race for the Elite League title.
Contact Chris.MacKenzie@prohockeynews.com