Szwez is the man to keep on a leash

Mar 26 2010 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

DRYING up the goals will be the key to ensuring Rob Wilson’s farewell to the North East is not his last act as Newcastle Vipers coach.

Wilson does not know if his seven-year Tyneside coaching career will end on Sunday, or seven days later. But the picture should be much clearer after tomorrow’s play-off quarter-final first leg against Belfast Giants in the Odyssey Arena.

Second-placed Belfast take on seventh-placed Newcastle in a two-legged tie this weekend, with the Whitley Bay return on Sunday.

It should be a foregone conclusion for the Giants, but having slain them in four out of eight meetings this season, Wilson is confident his team can do so again tomorrow – if they can keep Jeff Szwez under wraps.

“They’re very explosive at home,” noted Wilson.

“They beat Edinburgh 9-0 and they beat us 11-3 in December.