Lucy scored a goal in the game against Sheffied - but thanks to Anna confusing the
referee, the goal wasn't recorded correctly on the official match stats. For this, Anna is
extremely apologetic. However, I have recorded her goal correctly on my stats! Sorry.
Anna confuses the ref!
Vipers Defeat Sheffield
Vipers played their last Sheffield encounter of the season on Saturday, away at Ice Sheffield. Having had 3 previous victories against Sheffield, Vipers were in determined mood to make it 4-out-of-4. Vipers got off to a slow start, but eventually the pressure told on the Sheffield keeper, and Vipers ended the first period 4-0 up. The Vipers added to their tally in the second and third periods, and maintained the shut-out to finish the game with a comfortable 6-0 victory.
Nottingham Vipers managed to grind out a 1-1 score when they played away at Grimsby. Nottingham had been hoping to reverse the scoreline from their previous encounter this season, when the Kingston team were victorious at the NIC. However, the rink at Grimsby gave the Kingston team a definite home-advantage, but despite the unusual size ice surface, the Vipers battled on, and ground out a draw in a very scrappy game. The league title is still in their hands - they just have to win 5 of the 5 remaining games left!
Rebecca Cooke was name as the new Assistant Captain just prior to Viper's last game against Flintshire. Cooke was awarded the honour by the coaches thanks to her dedication, team committment and as a reward for making the North of England squad for the first time this season. Congratulations!
Vipers came out of their first road-trip to Flintshire (league leaders, and previously undefeated) as 10-3 winners. The win cements Vipers' second place in the league, and more importantly now reduces the gap at the top to 2 points. Vipers would like to thank their very noisy travelling barmy army, whose support was much appreciated throughout the game. Vipers travel to third place Kingston, in another crucial game in two weekends time.
This was the third time this season that Sheffield B have played the Vipers. After winning both their previous encounters, Vipers knew that Sheffield would come with solid determination to revenge their losses. Vipers were equal to the challenge, and came out of the blocks hard to prove that this was merely a continuation of their previous encounter. Again, it was a great team performance, which not only resulted in the best win against this Sheffield team this season (7-0) but also gave Maya her third shut-out of the season. This result moves Vipers up to second in the league, and Flintshire (top) play Kingston B (third) next weekend. With Vipers themselves taking on Flintshire the following weekend, it will be an interesting couple of weeks in the Division 1 North battle.
Lucy Ebinger: "Cookie have you lost weight?" "You no longer look so much of a pudding." [Pre-game humour, it worked well - we won!]
Vipers braved the snow and ice, and some unruly fans, to skate away with their first away victory of the season. Coach Jason Scott, was all smiles at the post-match press conference, having seen his team work hard and deserve the final 6-1 score line over the local Sheffield team. This is two wins out of two over this Sheffield team so far this season, and the sides meet again in 2 weekends time at the fabulous NIC! See you there! Good tickets are still available. Just remember...the louder the roar the higher the score, and if you are lucky for the right team!!!!
Vipers bounced back from 2 home defeats to start the new year with a convincing win at the NIC. A good team performance, with many names on the score sheet (some for the first time ever) meant that Vipers started 2010 with a 14-0 victory. Hopefully the Vipers will take the confidence from this win into next weekend's first road outing of the season, when they visit Ice Sheffield on Saturday.
Jade Cito has this week heard the confirmation that she has been selected for the GB U18 women’s ice hockey team. She greatly deserves her selection in this team. All members of the Vipers are extremely impressed and proud of her achievement! Congratulations and best of luck!!!
The Vipers team would like to thank Matt Bradbury and the Sports Development Team for their generosity in providing our team with game-day water bottles. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Jo Plastow, who has played hockey at Nottingham since she was knee-high (and she now is somewhere between hip and shoulder!) announced her retirement from ice hockey before Sunday’s game. Jo has played for many a year at Nottingham, and has always been an asset both on and off the ice. On the ice, always a solid defender who punches far more than her stature would suggest. Off the ice, she is a bubbly, charismatic, loveable lady whose energy, enthusiasm, interesting warm-up attire and her sense of humour will be greatly missed. She has assured us that she will be turning her energies into cheerleading, and so we still hope to see her waving her pom-poms at some point in the NIC. Everyone wishes you all the best for the future.
Some may say an unexpected result came from this weekend’s game at the NIC. The first post-Christmas encounter brought Kingston B to the NIC. A small Vipers team took on the team from Hull, which included 4 U18 players who also play for their premier team. Although it was an improved performance from the previous game’s defeat to Flintshire, it was not enough to bring home the points. A final score of 3-5 but Vipers are determined to win the return fixture at Kingston later this season.
The Vipers Team would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas. The website has been off-line for a while, due to some minor technical problems (i.e. Anna lost the ability to use a computer, but has found it again!).
After a poor team performance, Vipers found themselves facing their first loss of the season, losing at home 4-9 to Flintshire. Flintshire are undefeated, and go into Christmas 4 wins out of 4, at the top of the table. Vipers are currently in 4th, but with the chance to move up the league when they face Kingston (2nd) on the 27th December, home at the NIC.
The Vipers will take on Flintshire at home at the NIC on Sunday. Face-off is at 19:05. Although early in the season, this game is the current top-of-the table clash, and one that both sides will be very eager to win. Reports are that it should be a competitive game, and therefore Vipers need all the support they can get. See you there!
Vipers now have a winning streak - 2 games in a row! Good times are being had at the NIC. A solid team performance on Sunday saw a few firsts of the season. Julia Coughill and Rebecca Cooke scored their first goals of the season. Emma French picked up her first point of the season, then added a second before taking home the man-of-the-match award. A special congratulations also goes to Maya Bhogal, playing her first game in net for the Vipers. She turned away 19 shots, earning her a shut-out, and a victory in her first ever game for the senior team. The stats have been updated - including Vipers very first +/- statistics. The match report has also been added.
The first game of the new season saw Vipers bringing home 2 points. The visitors to the NIC were Whitley Bay, who are a much improved and stronger side than last season. It was a close contest, but with our very brave, rookie goalie, and man-of-the-match Bernie in net, Vipers came from behind and pulled out a 6-4 victory. At times there were some impressive signs from the Vipers, showing composure and a competitive spirit. It was an encouraging start to the season. For more details check the stats page, and the match report.
The rookie entertainment managers have started the new season by hosting a cracking event. There may have been somewhat a lack of media coverage prior to the first 'Meet the Vipers' event of the season, staged at the local laser quest place, venue, dungeon, thingy...but the fans turned out in droves to meet, and get beat by a bunch of squealing girls (although that may just have been me), plus a few male coaches, and...what may turn out to be a possible future recruit? Who knows, a little bit of HRT, a nice blonde wig (you can borrow some extensions from Lucy), and perhaps a very large monetary bribe, and Vipers may have landed themselves with the most amazing first line centre to have ever graced their ice! I'm sure we could take you on a two-way! The shooting accuracy displayed by this potential recruit drew such tears of joy to the more senior members of the coaching staff that their handkerchiefs were interpreted as flags of surrender by the opposition team... they didn't even put up a fight!
We can all dream, eh? Us Canadians more than most! Can lasers damage brain cells? I appear to have lost a few!
Just for your information, 'Quote of the Week' is still up for grabs. Cookie's quote of the night was unbelieveably shocking but unfortunately I can't remember it - I simply remember being horrified!
I hope we are all refreshed and had a lovely rest over the summer. The website too has had a rest - but will now be up and running again, ready to report on what we hope will be an incredible season. We welcome back most of the faces that were with us last season, and welcome a few budding new ones to the fold. In addition, a couple of the U16s from last season will have their birthdays during this season, and will join the senior team as the season progresses. The Vipers also welcome a new assistant coach, Jason Scott. So welcome to you all, and lets hope we can build on last year's solid season, and make this one the most memorable ever!
Last updated 29/Mar/10