Mark Gouett: Vipers must peak at right time

Mar 5 2010 by James Hunter, The Journal

MARK Gouett insists Newcastle Vipers must use the final seven games of the season to make sure they peak for the play-offs.

Vipers take on basement side Hull Stingrays tomorrow night at Whitley Bay before heading down to Cardiff to face the Devils on Sunday, as the league season nears its end.

With the Vipers well off the pace in the league, they are already starting to think about the end-of-season play-offs.

“Every point counts at this stage of the season and it’s important we finish as strongly as possible,” said Gouett.

“Three of our last seven games are against Hull and we need maximum points from them to give us the best chance of climbing a couple of places up the table and making life a little easier in the play-offs.

“But just as important as who you face in the play-offs is your form going into those games – that’s why we need a good finish to the season, starting this weekend.”

Vipers came through a tough programme of three games in as many days last weekend, losing home and away against Sheffield Steelers before finishing up with a win at fifth-placed Edinburgh Capitals.

Gouett said: “Any time you play three in three, it’s tough. Losing both games against the Steelers was a blow, so that’s why it was so important that we won at Edinburgh. It gave us a real lift, and kept us in with a chance of pegging them back and moving up the table.

“We have to build on that this weekend.”

Vipers skipper David Longstaff made his return from a two-month lay-off with a knee ligament problem last weekend and Gouett says his return has come at the perfect time.

“Lobby practised today and it is great to have him back again,” he said.

“He is one of the best players in the league and no other team will have a player of his quality rejoining them at this stage of the season.

“He is back now and it gives him a few weeks to get back up to full speed before the play-offs, so he couldn’t have timed it better.”

VIPERS host Hull Stingrays at Whitley Bay Ice Rink tomorrow night (6.30pm).

Tickets are available from the Vipers office on 0191 261 0909, at www.vipershockey.co.uk/shop or from the club shop on Shakespeare Street, Newcastle.