Season Review

Although a disappointing loss to end the season, Vipers finished a creditable second place in the D1 North league. Although, they had obviously hoped for better things, it was a successful season, which saw many improvements on the ice, and a team who bonded off it. Hopefully these improvements can be built upon and after the summer, the team will come back fitter, healthier, and more determined, to ensure that next season a top place finish will be well within their grasp.

We as players all realise that none of this would be possible without the continuing support of friends/parents/loved-ones (!) who help out especially on match days, to make our team viable. We have had great support all season long - and Hannah now even has banners made about her - her own little fan club!!! Thank you from me, but also from all the players, who I know share in my gratitude.

Looking forward...Vipers are always wanting new players to join their family. If you are new to ice-hockey, or are moving to the Nottingham area and looking for a woman's ice hockey team, then please go to the 'contact' page and e-mail for more details.

I want to thank each of the players for their hard work at training on-ice, off-ice and during games. I hope that over the summer months, you will all have time to reflect about the season gone, think about what challenges and goals you will set yourself for the next season, and work on your fitness so that we can start next season at top-speed!!!

Last thought of the season (I have gone all philosophical again, I am sorry - but not that sorry): "The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher." Thomas Henry Huxley. If that doesn't move you - imagine Anna saying it in a Canadian accent and that should do the trick!

Last Game of the Season

Vipers played their last league game of the 2008/09 season on Sunday at the NIC. Unfortunately, the long break between their last 2 games of the league, had left them without match practice, and although they outshot their opponents two to one, the end result was a 1-0 loss to Sheffield.

Quote of the Week!

"You should have seen how Lucy hit that spider!" <- "Shame thats the only thing she's hit all season!"

Vipers Racing for Life

The Nottingham Vipers will be raising money for Cancer Research in the Race for Life Event in Nottingham this year. It would be nice if as many players as possible participated in this fun event, in aid of a very good cause. Please contact Rebecca Cooke if you are interested in running/jogging/cartwheeling the 5km!

Billingham v Sheffield B

A win for Billingham in their match today at Sheffield will confirm Billingham as the winners of Division 1 North. The other match today in the Division 1 North sees Flintshire (3rd) at home to Blackburn (4th). On paper, this should be a fairly even match-up between the teams.

Quote of the Week!

Becky: "Whats under the glass?" Lucy: "A bear" Becky: "What, a real one?" Lucy: "No, that would be dangerous!"

Shut-outs: 3 in a row!

A 5-0 home win against Whitley Bay on Sunday guarantees the Nottingham Vipers at least a second place finish in the D1 North League. It also makes it 3 shut-outs in a row!

Quote of the Week!

Anna: "AAAAGGGHHHHH" (very high-pitched and girly-like).

Two Shut-Outs in a Row

Vipers entertained Flintshire on Sunday, and came away with their second consecutive shut-out victory. The 4-0 win guarantees Vipers of at least a third place finish in the league. The match report and stats have been updated.

Quote of the Week

Lucy:"Oh, I think he's cute, don't you?". Anna didn't really need to speak, her face said 'A million times no!'. Lucy: "Oh, I do. You know who he looks like? The Waterboy's dad. You know from The Waterboy?!" Anna: in tears laughing. Lucy: joined Anna in tears laughing. Anna shortly later checked Lucy into a mental asylum!

Vipers Back to Winning Ways!

Vipers travelled to Whitley Bay on Sunday for their only visit this season. Despite the recent rink improvements, the ice still resembled cardboard, but despite the conditions Vipers managed to leave the seaside with 2 points in the bag and a 14-0 victory.

Quote of the Week

Cookie:"..and then there were just 3 left". Anna (looking highly confused): "...only there are 4!"

Quote Of the Week!

Anna: "I can't believe Jade is that gullible!" Bernie: "Its OK, Jade still believes in Santa!"

Vipers Lose (Again)!

Vipers suffered their worst defeat of the season this weekend away at Billingham. For their final encounter of the season against Billingham, Vipers managed to out-shoot their opponents, but ended the game the wrong side of a 6-0 score line. Billingham are now firm favourites to take the D1 North Title.

Vipers lose at home to Billingham

Sunday's top-of-the table clash between Billingham and Nottingham saw the travelling team take home the points as they won 2-1. The stats page and match report have been updated. Nottingham's next game is away at Billingham on Sunday, and they are looking for revenge.

Quote of the Week

Jeni Mabey (19th January): "I'm not peroxide. I don't even know what peroxide is!"

Vipers Start the New Year with a Win at Blackburn

The Vipers travelled to Blackburn for an unusual 'Saturday' fixture, and after a hard-fought game, coming back from 2-0 down, they found some true spirit and determination to finally put some pucks in the back of the net, and took the game 3-5.

Quote of the Week

Player 1: "Does that Williams girl play for Blackburn?". Player 2: "Yes, think so. Shall we take her out?". Cookie: "...what, for tea?" [Ah, bless!]

Big Thank You!

The Vipers want to thank all their supporters and helpers who have assisted them in 2008. We truly are very appreciative. We look forward to your support in 2009! Happy New Year!

Vipers Top At Christmas

Following the 3-5 win at Sheffield on Sunday 22nd December, Vipers find themselves top of the league at Christmas with 7 of the 14 games accounted for. Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Quote of the Week

Nobody said anything funny this week...are we all grumpy?!

ODE TO ALI

I strangely omitted to mention in our match report v Flintshire, that Ali Clarke got her first shut-out of the season. I cannot correct the error of my ways, but I can let Ali know how we have loved and appreciated her amazing efforts this year at training, both on and off the ice, and seeing how this has made a great improvement to her match day performances. To show our true respect, I have modified a great poem (“Stop all the Clocks”) by a great poet (W. H. Auden) in honour of our great netminder. Click here to read the Ode to Ali.

Vipers Defeat Sheffield

Vipers played their second match of the season against Sheffield on Sunday. Sheffield were looking for revenge on the 5-1 defeat they suffered at home earlier this season. However, Vipers rose to the occassion and took the victory 4-1.

Quote of the Week

Jo Plastow (30 November): "When is Christmas?"

Vipers Lose to Billingham

Vipers played with great spirit and determination, but unfortunately lost 5-3 away at Billingham on Sunday. The match report and stats have been updated.

Quote of the Week

Billingham player after taking (another) slap shot which was blocked: "That must have hurt!". Jo Plastow: "...well it didn't!!!" Date: 16 November; Venue: On ice. [I have been told the comic timing was beautiful!]

Vipers Maintain Top Spot

Vipers travelled to Flintshire on Sunday (09th November) to see if they could maintain their position on top of Division 1 North. The match report tells the story...a win is a win! However, thank you to all those that were involved with the transportation to and from Flintshire - your support is hugely appreciated.

Quote of the Week

"Have I told you about the time when I discovered I had a latex allergy?" Date: 09 November; Venue: Changing room; Attributed to: I'll let you guess...

First Game of the Season

Vipers kicked off their season with a 9-3 home win against Blackburn. The statistics have been updated (access through the 'Team' link) and the match report has been added. It was a great team performance and Vipers would like to thank all the suporters that were there to cheer them on to their well-deserved victory.

Quote of the Week

Lucy searching through handbag in the bar: "I always carry a spare pair of pants in my bag. You never know when you may need them."

Adding to the Vipers' Family

Vipers are looking to friendly faces to help them out during their matches. We need home game help in the form of penalty box people, game sheet compilers, goal judges. We also need a driver (mini-bus licenced) that can drive a mini-bus to away games. Thank you to those that have volunteered already (and those that have been volunteered!) and we will definitley be requiring your help. Our new manager, Deborah Cito, will be contacting you shortly. We welcome Deborah (aka 'Mamma D') to our team, and hope that you will enjoy working with our team. If there are any other volunteers - please use the forum to display yours or their interest!!

Quote of the Week!

Anna sat on a swiss ball trying to deflate it. Anna: "My ball doesn't seem to be going down". Bernie: "Thats because your sat on the air hole". (Nobody likes a clever clogs!)

Provisional Fixtures!

Please see the fixtures page for our provisional fixture list. It may confuse people a little!

Quote of the Week!

Man hockey player: "The other dressing room is crammed. Blazing squad are next door." Lucy: "Who are Blazing Squad?" Man hockey player: "The young ones that have turned up for training." Lucy: "Ah, I actually thought you meant Blazing squad were next door!"

Its back...Quote of the Week!

"It's my birthday next year!"

The new season has started!

Off-ice training has been ongoing for the past couple of weeks, and last night, on-ice training commenced. A new season with a new coach, who is demanding a new hard-working attitude from the players (if the first ice session is anything to go by). The Vipers wish to welcome the rookies new to the team this season. We all hope training will be well attended this season, and that we have another season full of success and fun!!! Keep checking the training section for updates.

Training Section

Please notice that a new training section has been added to the website. This page has been created for players for the 2008/2009 season, so they can quickly and easily find out training details. It is therefore essential that all players ensure they check this page regularly regarding any changes to training details!

...New Signings

In the past couple of days, the Vipers management and coaches have added another confirmed signing to their 2008/2009 roster. The coaches were so impressed with the way last season's rookie, Lucy Loo Lah, took instruction, that they have invited her back for another year. The coaches say of Lucy, that when you get her to stop talking, she not only listens but she listens well! She has a lot to learn, being new to the sport, but she is improving all the time - and is already very close to mastering the art of tying laces. Her determination to improve and her loveable nature will ensure she has an impact on the team both on and off the ice. We look forward to great things from this girl.

New Season Signings

The Nottingham Vipers announced their first signing of the upcoming 2008-2009 season to the Press early this morning. Hundreds of reporters, chewing on their morning bagels and slurping coffee, waited in nervous anticipation of the news. Rumours had been circulating all week regarding the signing. They had heard the news was ‘big’, the question they were asking was ‘how big’?

Well, the answer it would prove to be was ‘small’ – but only in height! “She’s back!” – was the opening statement from the Vipers management facing the world's media. Yes, Vipers announced the resigning of Julia Coughill this morning. Last season, depending on which statistics you look at, Julia finished Nottingham’s top scorer with 35 goals and 50 points (the 4th highest in Division 1). A left winger that brings to the team a wealth of experience, and a finishing ability that she learnt at one of those schools in the Swiss Alps – a classy lass. A ‘gritty’ player on the ice, a great motivator in the dressing room, and a cider drinker in the pub! The management said of the player ‘We couldn’t be happier. Julia has great hands, matched by great balance and control on the puck.’ Julia wasn’t present at the press conference – she had fallen off her bike on the way!

Last updated 29/09/08