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SM Liiga veteran signs up for Vipers
Patrik Forsbacka has signed to complete the Vipers' line up for the 2010-11 Elite League season.
The 28-year-old from Pori in Finland, takes Danny Stewart's 12th and final import spot and brings size and power to the club's second line.
Standing 6'3'' and scaling 230lbs, Forsbacka has huge presence on the ice and is not afraid to use it. He has spent the past five seasons in the Finnish Elite League, SM Liiga, with Assat his home town club.
"Patrik was something of a fan favourite in Pori, and I hope he can carry that tag with him to Newcastle," said coach Danny Stewart.
"He's one of the most physical guys in the Finnish League, and is a genuine power forward. He hits like a steam train and is able to look after himself when necessary.
"In the SM Liiga he's probably been a third line forward, but he definitely has the ability to contribute in the Elite League with Newcastle.
"His size is an obvious advantage at Whitley Bay, and although this signing means we don't have an out and out enforcer, Patrik's signing adds to our team toughness."
Like the previous signing, Toms Hartmanis, Forsbacka's European passport mean he can be on a plane and in Newcastle in next to no time.
"It means I have my full squad and everyone is here at the same time and we're all starting off on the same page," said Stewart.
"We have 12 imports, with ten forwards and six defencemen and I can say now that I will be rolling three lines all the time. I am a third line player, and I think our depth will be a big part of what we do.
"Having three lines rolling all the time means the players can play flat out, skating hard, hitting, playing physical - every shift.
"It's been tough putting together my first ever roster, but now it's done I just want to get started with the guys on the ice!"
The first game action for the Winn Solicitors-backed Vipers will be on Saturday 11 September against Edinburgh Captials, with a return in Edinburgh the following night.
There's a 'Bragging Rights' battle with fellow Hillheads residents Whitley Warriors on Wednesday 15 September before the Elite League season begins with home and away games with Sheffield Steelers.
On Saturday September 18 the sides meet in Sheffield before the home opener the following night at Whitley Bay Ice Rink in a match dubbed Ice Wars: The Vipers Strike Back.
Several characters from the Star Wars films will be around the rink before the game and they will form a guard of honour as the Vipers take to the ice for the match. Tickets for all upcoming games can be purchased in advance from the club on 0191 4774100 or online at VipersHockey.co.uk/shop.
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| 11th February 2012 19:00 | ||
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| 11th February 2012 19:00 | ||
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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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| 5th February 2012 18:00 | ||
2-4 |
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| 5th February 2012 17:00 | ||
6-1 |
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| 4th February 2012 19:30 | ||
4-1 |
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| 4th February 2012 19:00 | ||
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 18:00 | ||
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| 11th February 2012 18:30 | ||
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| 11th February 2012 19:00 | ||
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
