Newcastle Vipers

It is with regret that the Mincoffs Vipers can confirm that due to the severe nature of the injury sustained in September against this weeks opponents the Belfast Giants, defenseman Burt Henderson will not ice again this season.

Vipers GM Jaimie Longmuir commented “We are extremely disappointed by the news not only for ourselves but also for Burt who was keen to return to the ice this season. We received confirmation from the specialist yesterday that despite the rehab that the severity of the injury was too much to hope for a return this season.”

Head Coach Rob Wilson speaking this morning “I am extremely disappointed with the loss of Burt as he was solid defensively and was our strongest defenseman going forward. We have missed his offensive threat all season.”

Burt was a massive loss for the club early in the season and we have missed him throughout. Unfortunately the extent of the injury was too much to overcome. We wish Burt and his family all the best for the future and hope Burt has a full recovery.

This February 7^th and 8^th will officially be HockeyFest at the Metro Radio Arena with three huge games involving two for the Mincoff Vipers in the Elite Ice Hockey League and the Stan Calvert Memorial Cup between Newcastle University and Northumbria University.

(more…)

The Mincoffs Vipers are delighted to continue the Season Ticket 40% sale for those who travelled to support the team last weekend.

In addition we have savings on items for all fans available both from the Official Vipers Store, 16 Shakespeare Street Newcastle and also from the Merchandise Stall at tomorrow’s game against the Hull Stingrays.

Don’t miss your chance to grab a bargain !!!

The regions elite ice hockey club, the Mincoff Vipers are to host this years Stan Calvert Cup ice hockey fixture between Northumbria University and Newcastle University on Sunday 8th February 2009, at the Metro Radio Arena after the Vipers face the Basingstoke Bison in their bmibaby Elite League clash.

(more…)

Mincoff Vipers goalie Andrew Verner and defenceman Jez Lundin have been named in the North team for the Elite League All Star Game.

North All Stars - Verner and Lundin

The inaugural event, presented in association with Planet Ice, takes place at the Coventry Skydome on Thursday February 19 (7.30pm) and tickets are on sale now from the Skydome.  Tickets are £15 for adults, £7 for under 16s, £10 for concessions.  A family ticket (2 adults, 2 under 16s) is £38.

Coach for the North All Stars is the Sheffield playcaller Dave Matsos, and he can select from Edinburgh, Belfast, Manchester, Sheffield and Newcastle.  Each team will supply two imports and two Brits to form a 20-man squad.

Matsos’ opposite number is Coventry’s Paul Thompson, who will choose the squad for the Southern All Stars.

Verner has been stellar between the pipes for Newcastle this season, most recently posting a 48-shot shutout in Cardiff, his third shutout of the season.

Lundin was picked for the GB team earlier in the season before injury prevented him taking up the slot.  He has continued his development on the Vipers’ blueline this season and continues to figure in Paul Thompson’s international plans.

A Vipers club spokesman said: “Andrew and Jez are fully deserving of their All-Star call up, and will represent the North and Newcastle with pride.

“Verns has lived up to his billing when he arrived and has been acknowledged by coaches around the League as one of if not the best stopper in the League.

“Jez continues to grow and develop as a top-four defenceman in the Elite League, and the All Star game is surely just a stepping stone to further representative honours.”

Vipers’ goalies past and present were the stars as the Newcastle club played out their first ever scoreless game on Sunday.

48 saves on Sunday for Andrew Verner

In  the end the teams were only separated by the 12th penalty shot, netted past Andrew Verner by Jay Latulippe.

The home side certainly had the bulk of the play in the opening period, including a full two minute 5 on 3 powerplay opportunity and outshot their opponents by 19 to 8 but to no avail. The middle session was more even but remained goalless and although Devils had slightly the better of the thirds period and overtime the respective offences simply could find no way through the impressive backstops of each side.
 
Into the shootout where after the original round of three shots both Tyson Teplitsky of Devils and Rob Wilson of Vipers found the net, leading on to  sudden death where with the twelth shot of the game Latulippe  fired home to give the home side the extra point.
 
Period Scores: 0-0, 0-0, 0-0, 0-0, (1-0)
Penalty Mins: Car 17 - New 27
Powerplay: Car 0/5 - New 0/5
Shots On: Peter Aubry 32 - Andrew Verner 48
Referee: Nigel Boniface

This coming weekend the Vipers face a home-and-away series with Hull Stingrays, with Saturday’s match at Metro Radio Arena (6.30pm).  Advance ticket sales can be made from vipershockey.co.uk or by telephone from the club office 0191 2610909.

A stunning middle period blitz from the Coventry Blaze overturned an early Vipers lead, as the defending champions bounced back to form.

Posted in Latest Headlines | Comments Off