Mobilx Newcastle Vipers 6, Basingstoke Bison 3

Dec 3 2007 The Journal

CAPTAIN David Longstaff struck twice as the Vipers won for the first time in seven games.

Playing in front of one of the smallest crowds seen at the Metro Radio Arena for a Sunday night ice hockey match the under-performing Vipers had much to prove.

And given an early powerplay opportunity the Vipers took full advantage. Colin Shields found Ben Storey in a central position and the defenceman showed why he is the Vipers top powerplay scorer with a fierce slap shot.

On 14 minutes ex-Vipers goalie Curtis Cruickshank was beaten again from long range by a slap shot let loose by Pavel Gomenyuk.

In the second period, Jeff Hutchins’ pass was perfect for Longstaff to instantly hit over Cruickshank’s left shoulder and Longstaff was to add his second five minutes later. There was so little atmosphere inside the Arena that his call was clearly audible and Derek Campbell duly presented the puck which was instantly hit home.

Less than a minute later Cruickshank was bypassed again, Dean Holland shooting home from just outside the crease for a 5-0 Vipers advantage.

Four seconds into a Bison powerplay MacDonald’s hopes of a shutout were dashed when the puck was sent flying across his body by a mighty blow from Mikko Purontakanen to make it 5-1 on 36 minutes.

With the Vipers on cruise control the Bison reduced the arrears further on 53 minutes, Brad Cruickshank shooting over MacDonald’s left shoulder to win their head to head contest. On 56 minutes the goal gap between the two sides became two when defenceman David Vychodil skated in to capitalise on a loose puck on the edge of the crease.

Bison gambled by withdrawing Cruickshank with one minute 58 seconds left to play but the six-on-four skater bid failed when Shields shot the puck into the unguarded goal.

VIPERS: Longstaff 2+1, Gomenyuk and Shields 1+1, Holland and Storey 1+0, Johnson and Rublivisky 0+2, B Campbell, D Campbell, Hutchins and Kratky 0+1. BISON: B Cruickshank and Purontakanen 1+1, Vychodil 1+0, Chambers 0+2, Thornton 0+1.