Wilson’s enjoying return to the fray

Mar 22 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

ROB Wilson is ready to lead the Vipers to a second play-off success in three seasons from on the ice, writes STUART RAYNER.

The Canadian defenceman retired from playing to concentrate on coaching last summer but pulled the skates back on for one game during an injury crisis in January. He featured in both last weekend’s matches, scoring against his old side Sheffield Steelers, and as far as this season goes, Wilson says he is back for good.

The Vipers entertain Cardiff Devils tonight before completing their regular season programme at double winners Coventry Blaze. Wilson expects to figure in both – and the subsequent play-off games.

“I need the ice time but I’m feeling quite good out there,” said Wilson, who turns 40 in July. “We’ll see how things go but my back’s strong so I expect to play a full part for the rest of the season.

“I’m excited about playing this weekend. When you’ve been doing it for as long as I have, you really miss it. I think I can be a calming influence and it’s just beneficial for us to have another body out there. I’ve been training all week with Burt (Henderson) and we’ve been pretty comfortable together. We complement each other quite well.”

Given that either side of the new year his squad was desperately short of defencemen, it is surprising Wilson has waited so long.

“Last year I hurt my back in the pre-season training camp and it never really recovered so I was really hesitant about coming back,” he explained. “Since we were unable to replace that tenth import I knew I would be coming back but I didn’t want to do it before I was ready. If I’d played 26 games by this stage of the season, I might not be in too good a way now.”

This weekend’s games are dead rubbers before the real action resumes in Belfast a week on Saturday. The two-legged tie against the Giants – completed at Newcastle Arena at 5.30pm on the Sunday – decides who goes to the play-off finals weekend in Nottingham.

Defenceman Burt Henderson is expected to play today despite back spasms last week.

“I don’t want to rush him back but he will be playing in the play-off games for sure,” said Wilson.

The Vipers’ ENL side meet derby rivals Whitley Warriors in back-to-back games in the English National League (North) play-offs this weekend. The home tie is at Newcastle Arena today, the return at Hillheads tomorrow.