Former Whitley Bay Warriors legend and current Mincoffs Vipers captain David Longstaff will return to his old stomping ground this weekend as the Vipers face the Manchester Phoenix at the Hillheads rink in Whitley Bay in the Elite League Challenge Cup.
The Vipers hopes of a four point weekend evaporated in a devastating third period spell from the Caps, who netted five goals in under nine minutes.
After a goalless first period the only goal of the second session came from David Longstaff (1st) on the powerplay at 33.48, banking the puck in from behind the net. No-one was to know what was in store for the third period.
The Capitals were level at 43.24 with a goal from Ross Dalgleish (1st) then 3 goals all on the powerplay in a 4 minute spell had them 4-1 in front. A brace of goals from Taylor Christie (2nd/3rd) at 45.01 and 46.24 was followed by a goal from Joe Dustin (4th) at 48.59. Martin Cingel (5th) added goal number 5 at 52.08, and Andrew Verner was replaced by Richie Lawson.
But then two goals in 12 seconds from the Vipers from Ben Campbell (2nd) at 54.34 and Rob Rankin (1st) at 54.46 made it a two goal game, and Verner returned to the fray.
In the last minute, the Vipers pulled the goalie for an extra skater, but Neil Hay (1st) found the empty net at 59.24 to complete a tremendous third period for the Capitals.
The Mincoffs-backed Vipers now occupy sixth place in the Elite League standings, with 7 points from their opening eight games. They travel to Cardiff on Saturday for another League match before starting their Challenge Cup campaign with a home match against Manchester Phoenix, played at Whitley Bay (4.30pm).
Mincoffs Vipers bounced back from last week’s defeat to Belfast with a gutsy penalty-shots win over Manchester Phoenix at the Arena.
Vipers were without the injured Burt Henderson and the suspended Todd Griffith and Rob Rankin against a Phoenix team who had won the corresponding fixture at Altrincham on opening weekend.
The visitors drew first blood in the sixth minute when Bruce Mulherin squeezed the puck past Andrew Verner, for the only goal of the first period.
The home side were much the better in the second period, David Longstaff coming closest to scoring as his shot hit the upright with netminder Murphy beaten. Vipers’ hard work was finally rewarded 49 seconds from the end of the session when Dean Holland netted from close range after good work from Derek Campbell created the opportunity.
Tied at 1-1, the final stanza was scoreless despite Phoenix hitting the post, and the game went to overtime. The extra five minutes also failed to find a winner so the tie was settled by a penalty shoot out.
David Beauregard missed Manchester’s first effort, before Vipers captain David Longstaff netted with his shot. Adam Walker, Marek Ivan and Bruce Mulherin were all unsuccessful meaning the Vipers took the points with a 1-0 shootout win.
The sides meet again next Sunday in Challenge Cup action, the game at Whitley Bay Ice Rink with a 4.30pm face off.
Following the games last Sunday between the Newcastle Vipers vs Belfast Giants and Basingstoke Bison vs Cardiff Devils, the Disciplinary Committee of the EIHL wish to confirm the following decisions and suspensions that include the single biggest suspension levied against one player for one offence.
Mincoffs Vipers forwards Rob Rankin and Todd Griffith could be facing a suspension after the club learnt the fracas at the end of Sunday’s game against Belfast was to be reviewed by the Elite League.
Club bosses confirmed late on Sunday night that they were seeking a review of Steve Thornton’s slash on Andre Payette. Now it appears that Belfast have similarly asked disciplinary chief Simon Kirkham to cast his eye over the incident 2.1 seconds from time when Rankin and Griffith recevied 5+game fighting penalties from referee Michael Hicks.
The findings of Kirkham’s review should be made public in the next 24 hours.
Vipers face Manchester Phoenix at Metro Radio Arena this Saturday (6.30pm) before travelling to Edinburgh 24 hours later to play the Capitals.
Remember to log onto www.metroradio.co.uk/gameon from 6pm Friday. Vipers star defenceman Chris McAllister talks to Metro Radio’s Joel Goldman about life with the Vipers and playing in “The Show”.
The Mincoffs Vipers have tonight confirmed that they will ask the League to look at the incident in the second period of Sunday’s game between the Vipers and Belfast Giants where Andre Payette received a stick to the head from Steve Thornton of Belfast.
This is the first time the Vipers have sought a League review, however the club feel it is a serious incident and warrants further investigation.
Giants came out on top in the second of their double header in the North East to join Nottingham at the top of the standings.
It was the visitors who looked the better side in the opening period and they deservedly went into the first period break leading by a Paul Deniset (4th) goal after 7.18 on the powerplay.
It was Giants again seemingly well in control in the second period as they outshot Vipers by 16-2 but one of the Vipers shots found the back of the net with Jez Lundin (1st) levelling at 30.41. Giants were not to be denied however and at 34.41 they again took the lead with another powerplay goal, this time Mark Burgoyne (1st) netting.
When Deniset, right, (5th) grabbed his second of the game after only 26 seconds it was a 2-goal spread and Giants never looked likely to give that up. The game finished in a tousy fashion with Vipers’ Todd Griffith and Rob Rankin being ejected on 5 + games for fighting with only two seconds left on the clock.
Period Scores: 0-1, 1-1, 0-1
Penalty Mins: New 76 - Bel 19
Powerplay: New 0/6 - Bel 2/7
Shots On: Andrew Verner 41 - Stevie Lyle 17
Mincoffs Vipers player-coach Rob Wilson locked his team in the dressing room after Sunday’s 3-1 home loss to Belfast, saying they should “take a long hard look at themselves”.
Twenty four hours after a thrilling 4-3 win against the same opposition, the Vipers succumbed meekly generating only 9 shots on goal in two periods and 17 in total.
“We’ve just had a meeting and the players know that I’m not happy.
“I put this team together to win hockey games, and there was no passion, drive and grit there tonight. Everyone has to look at themselves, tonight was just not acceptable.
“We were like a completely different team from last night and I can’t understand.
“It wasn’t so much the loss; I can deal with losing although I don’t like to lose. It’s the manner of the loss which upset me.
“We had nine shots on goal in two periods, we drove to the crease once all night and Jez scored a great goal.
“In the last period we had eight shots and I had about five of them - it’s just really disappointing.”
Wilson added that Burt Henderson’s initaial prognosis is not good, and he has started the search for new defensive cover on Saturday night.
“I’ve spoke to a couple of agents, and we’re trying to get someone in as soon as we can, but with work permits and visas it’s not going to happen overnight. If we get a player signed we can get the process underway and get them into the lineup.”
The Vipers have a home game against Manchester on Saturday (6.30) before travelling to Edinburgh next Sunday.
Mincoffs Vipers General Manager Jaimie Longmuir has called on fans to get behind the team for two very important reasons for tonight’s game against the Belfast Giants at the Metro Radio Arena.
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