We’ve had our wake-up call, says Ryan

Oct 24 2007 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

THE Vipers reach mid-point of a run of six Elite League games in 11 days tonight with netminder Ryan MacDonald insisting recent adversity has left them in great shape for the punishing schedule.

The Newcastle-based side have been forced to rely on their squad in recent weeks with Andre Payette suspended and Petr Kratky injured with two broken fingers, but still won six consecutive games until Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to Cardiff Devils. Canadian MacDonald thinks even that setback can be made to work in their favour when they take on Edinburgh Capitals at Newcastle Arena tonight.

“You can’t win every game and maybe it’s good we have a wake-up call every once in a while,” he said. “It’s just pushed us that little bit harder.

“Sometimes it’s hard, because you always have teams gunning for you when you’re up there. We had won six in a row when we played Cardiff on Sunday. so they were really desperate to beat us.”

The 22-year-old has made an impressive start on Tyneside, conceding 27 goals in his first 13 games. He has the second best save percentage of any goalie yet to play more than two Elite League games this season. Nevertheless, MacDonald is keen to share the credit.

“Defensively we’ve been really good this season,” he said. “We were a little bit short for a while with Petr out. We’ve had people like Jez Lundin playing well too, so there’s six players there who are all high quality.

“Having Petr back gives us that little bit more depth. A guy that size is intimidating for the opposition.

“When you’ve got young local guys playing well too, it gives you a little bit more depth and jump. And when you’ve so many games in so few days it means lots of people should have the opportunity of some ice time so you just have to get on with it.”

The Capitals are bottom of the table but MacDonald cited last month’s 2-0 win over the Scots as an example of what to expect.

“I was surprised, actually, it’s pretty fast and there’s some pretty talented players,” said MacDonald. “All the teams are pretty even and anyone can beat anyone. When we played them last time it was a pretty tight game, so we can’t take them lightly.”

:: TONIGHT’S match (7.15pm face-off ) will be screened on Sky Sports tomorrow at 5pm.