Friday, February 15, 2008 Elite League: Mobilx Newcastle Vipers 3-2 Basingstoke Bison
Sunday, February 17, 2008 Elite League: Edinburgh Capitals 3-6 Mobilx Newcastle Vipers

COLIN Shields' second hat-trick in just over a week helped the Vipers complete a four-point weekend and keep in touch with the Elite League's top four.

Capitals missed a great chance to put real pressure on Basingstoke for the final Play-Off spot as they were hit hard in the final period by a Vipers side who who had lost their last two in the Scottish capital.

Both sides missed out on early powerplay opportunities before Vipers took the lead at 11.12 when Derek Campbell found the net. The home side quickly leveled when Martin Cingel scored at 14.39 but the visitors were not to be denied and Shields scored his first at 16.53 to give the Tyneside team the advantage once again.

Capitals hit back strongly in the second session and took the lead themselves with a couple of quick strikes. Cingel at 21.38 and then Colin Hemingway at 24.05 on the powerplay turning the game in the home sides favour.

However, Vipers then tied it up by the period break with a powerplay counter by Jeff Hutchins at 39.40.

There was all to play for in an important final period but it was the Vipers who came on strong to take the game. Todd Jackson edged them ahead at 49.34 and then the killer goal came from Shields on a four on four play at 54.10.

Shields completed his treble into the empty net with 26 seconds remaining with this loss being a sore one for the home side as games run out for them.

A GOAL from captain David Longstaff with 9.4 seconds left on the clock sealed a Friday night home win for the Vipers when the Basingstoke Bison visited Newcastle.

The Bison had come from behind twice in an entertaining match which looked destined to go into overtime until Longstaff stepped up to net his 18th of the season, with a move he had done much to progress himself, skilfully taking the puck into the attacking zone before linking up with Todd Jackson.

The first period had remained goalless, despite some close calls.

Viper Derek Campbell played a neat puck to Dean Holland, but former Tyneside stopper Curtis Cruikshank made the save.

Greg Chambers and the Bison's Derek Campbell both came close for the visitors, the former hitting the post with the open goal in front of him, while the latter hit the side netting with a similarly easy chance.

The resurgent Jeff Hutchins broke the deadlock from close range only nine seconds into the second period, but at 33.45 Greg Owen made it 1-1 when team mate Campbell played the puck across the front of Ryan MacDonald's goal to set him up.

With the scores level going into the final period, the Vipers once again took the initiative, Holland finishing from close in, with assists from Derek Campbell and from Andre Payette, the latter earning his first point since December.

Once again, however, the Bison pulled back and as Greg Chambers fired home from the tightest of angles on the short hand in the 48th minute, it looked like 60 minutes would not be sufficient to separate the sides until Longstaff stepped up for the winner.

12:02pm Monday 18th February 2008

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