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No love lost between old rivals
Photograph of Mobilx Newcastle Vipers defenceman Jerramie Domish courtsey of Paul Lynch of Vipers Media: www.paullynch.smugmug.com.
The rivarly between the Mobilx Newcastle Vipers and Edinburgh Capitals goes right back to day one of the Vipers existence, in August 2002.
Just weeks after the club had been formed and accepted into the British National League, a huge travelling contingent of fans made the trip from Newcastle to Murrayfield to see Simon Leach take the first ever face-off for the fledgling franchise.
Almost eight years later, the two sides meet again this Valentine's weekend in back to back games which could go a long way to securing fifth place in the League and a playoff quarter final, likely to be against Cardiff Devils.
"Edinburgh are certainly our oldest rivals, from the early BNL days through to moving into the Elite League together," said Vipers GM Jaimie Longmuir.
"We've played them countless times in a number of competitions - League, Cup, Playoff. Caledonian Cup games in the BNL, Capital Cup, and this year in the Hockeyfest 20-20.
"Each side has won their share of games over the years, but this season the Caps seem to have an edge so we'd like to do something about that this weekend.
"It's important not only for the head-to-head but also in the League standings. The bottom half of the Elite League is really congested now and if anyone can get on a good run they could make fifth place secure."
On the ice this weekend, two players face off against the sides they played for last season.
Vipers' goalie Michel Robinson started 2008-9 in Edinburgh before moving to Nottingham and taking the Panthers to within a game of playoff glory.
On the Edinburgh side Jeff Hutchins finished last season in the Black and Gold of the Vipers after a short spell at Edinburgh. A summer move to Sheffield didn't work out and he returned to don the Caps colours once again.
"Things like Robbie and Hutchy playing against their old teams adds to the spice," says Longmuir. "And with it being Valentine's Weekend there will be no love lost between the two sides.
"We both desperately want to win and finish as high up the League as possible. Both clubs have a hard core of passionate fans who want to see their club do well in the playoffs, so it's set up to be a great weekend of hockey.
"I hope that fans on both sides turn out to support their team, at home and on the road. I know there will be a big Newcastle following in Edinburgh on Sunday night, as it's our closest road trip and one our fans enjoy."
Saturday's action is at Whitley Bay Ice Rink, face off 6.30pm. Advanced sale tickets are available now priced at £11.00 for adults, £9.00 for concessions, £7.00 for under 16's and £28.00 for a family (2 adults & 2 under 16's). Tickets can be purchased online at www.vipershockey.co.uk/shop, by calling the Vipers office on 0191 261 0909 or visiting the club shop on Shakespeare Street in Newcastle.
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| 11th February 2012 19:15 | ||
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| 12th February 2012 00:00 | ||
6-2 |
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| 5th February 2012 18:30 | ||
4-5 |
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2-4 |
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| 5th February 2012 17:00 | ||
6-1 |
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4-1 |
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6-2 |
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| 4th February 2012 19:00 | ||
| Club | GP | W | L | OL | GF | GA | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belfast Giants | 41 | 33 | 8 | 3 | 167 | 83 | 69 |
| 2 | Nottingham Panthers | 40 | 30 | 10 | 2 | 182 | 87 | 62 |
| 3 | Sheffield Steelers | 35 | 30 | 5 | 0 | 133 | 77 | 60 |
| 4 | Coventry Blaze | 40 | 25 | 15 | 1 | 153 | 113 | 51 |
| 5 | Cardiff Devils | 39 | 20 | 19 | 10 | 124 | 112 | 50 |
| 6 | Braehead Clan | 39 | 22 | 17 | 2 | 146 | 127 | 46 |
| 7 | Hull Stingrays | 41 | 11 | 30 | 4 | 107 | 165 | 26 |
| 8 | Edinburgh Capitals | 38 | 11 | 27 | 3 | 89 | 170 | 25 |
| 9 | Dundee Stars | 40 | 7 | 33 | 5 | 95 | 163 | 19 |
| 10 | Fife Flyers | 39 | 7 | 32 | 5 | 79 | 178 | 19 |
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| 8th February 2012 19:45 | ||
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| 11th February 2012 17:45 | ||
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| 11th February 2012 18:30 | ||
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3-0 |
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| 5th February 2012 18:30 | ||
4-2 |
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| 5th February 2012 18:00 | ||
6-3 |
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| 5th February 2012 17:30 | ||
6-8 |
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| 5th February 2012 17:30 | ||
3-0 |
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| 4th February 2012 19:30 | ||
1-3 |
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| 4th February 2012 19:00 | ||
| Club | GP | W | L | OL | GF | GA | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guildford Flames | 38 | 26 | 12 | 3 | 172 | 111 | 55 |
| 2 | Manchester Phoenix | 39 | 24 | 15 | 3 | 145 | 123 | 51 |
| 3 | Slough Jets | 37 | 24 | 13 | 2 | 167 | 117 | 50 |
| 4 | Sheffield Steeldogs | 38 | 22 | 16 | 4 | 119 | 101 | 48 |
| 5 | Milton Keynes Lightning | 37 | 22 | 15 | 1 | 116 | 99 | 45 |
| 6 | Basingstoke Bison | 38 | 21 | 17 | 2 | 135 | 126 | 44 |
| 7 | Swindon Wildcats | 39 | 15 | 24 | 5 | 126 | 134 | 35 |
| 8 | Bracknell Bees | 37 | 13 | 24 | 8 | 107 | 142 | 34 |
| 9 | Peterborough Phantoms | 38 | 14 | 24 | 2 | 123 | 164 | 30 |
| 10 | Telford Tigers | 39 | 9 | 30 | 2 | 106 | 199 | 20 |
- No Elite League for Vipers in 2011/12
- Holland looking for back to back wins
- Effinger has no regrets
- Hartmanis wants wins for fans
- Longmuir looking to finish in style
