Danny Stewart: Vipers paying penalty
Oct 21 2010 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal
DANNY Stewart has come up with a simple solution to the Newcastle Vipers’ problems defending penalties – stop giving so many away.
Defensive powerplays were Newcastle’s downfall in Sunday’s 6-1 Elite League defeat at Edinburgh Capitals.
Player-coach Stewart has been working hard on his special teams in training this week, but his main priority is for more disciplined displays against Cardiff Devils and Hull Stingrays at the weekend.
Stewart thinks too much time in the sin bin is costing his side dearly.
“The biggest disappointment so far has been the two performances in Edinburgh,” the Canadian reflected.
“Although it’s a tough adjustment from Whitley to their ice, it’s still no excuse. We’ve got to be ready to go there and play.
“On Sunday they got a couple of late goals to run up the scoreline but five-on-five we actually played quite well.
“We were onto them a little bit five-on-five but every time we gave them a powerplay – and we gave them ten, which was way too many – we couldn’t kill them.
“When you’re giving up powerplays and every time you do it’s ending up in the back of your net, it’s demoralising as a team. We’ve just got to work on special teams this week and hopefully correct that.”
Stewart sees his new-look team’s disciplinary lapses as part of a wider problem.
