The Nottingham Vipers played their first game of the 2010/2011 season at home against the visiting Peterborough side. A large squad filled the bench - dazzling the onlooking crowds with their shiny smiles, beautiful radiant glows and some dazzlingly cool new home hockey kit (thanks to our new sponsors). They even wore matching socks - well in colour at least. Some of the players prefer to play in pathetic, non-stretchable, flimsy material socks. The more sensible of the crew chose the good, solid, well-tried and tested woolen numbers! However, apart from this minor issue, they looked like a proper team! It is a debate I think will continue...lets just hope it doesn't divide the team. I'm sitting on the fence on the issue (but its a crooked fence that leans quite a lot to one side).
The Vipers meant business from the first face-off. Their round-the-net chant was awesome and would have terrified most opposition. It clearly got them into their game mindset from the start as they went about their task in a positive manner from the first face off. The opposition were clearly nervous and were put on the back skate straight from the drop as Vipers tried to pull off a cheeky face-off move that they must have spent a lot of time on during training (!). Although it kind of worked and caused a lot of action around the Peterborough net, no goal came as a result. However, the early pressure soon told and the goals started to come. The first period ended up with Vipers looking at a comfortable 3-1 lead.
The coaching staff decided to mix up a few of the lines for the next 2 periods. It was interesting to see some different combinations taking the ice. Clearly, the coaches were looking to try and increase their lead and put a marker down to the league. Vipers managed to convert a few more of their chances in the second, and increased their tally to 9. Again, Peterbrough managed to net another goal in the second period but by then the game was already won.
The early season snipers came in the form of fearless Frenchy and crafty Cookie. Both of whom netted themselves match hat-tricks. However, these were no solo performances as the game sheet will prove as no less than 13 players found themselves getting goals or assists during the game. A nice spread of points underlining how this really is a team where there are threats coming from (quite literally) left, right and centre (and 'D')!
Peterborough didn't lose faith and kept forcing the puck. Some defensive errors in Viper's own end allowed Peterborough to capitalize on their chances. Kerry, playing her first full competetive game in net made some good saves during the game, and whose performance comfortably put her in front as the best candidate for the man-of-the-match award. The final score 12-4 seemed to have cheered up the coaches!
At the post-match press conferece JS told this reporter:
"Overall, I am pleased with the result! I think some of the girls were suffering from some first-game new-kit nerves, but they found their strides eventually (after they had finally found the stadium). It was a good game for us to start the season. Some of the new faces to the team got a taste of the action and it sets us off on the right track, with a win. Possibly not quite the win I had dreamed of whilst tucked up all snuggley in bed with my blanket and hot-cocoa the night before the game, but I would take a 1-goal win anyday. There's a lot to work on. We'll get it right!"
And just like that...he was gone!