Saturday, December 22, 2007 Elite League: Nottingham Panthers 4-2 Mobilx Newcastle Vipers
Sunday, December 23, 2007 Elite League: Mobilx Newcastle Vipers 3-4 Belfast Giants (After overtime)

TWO defeats left the Vipers with only one point to show for a weekend in which they had the opportunity to build upon a good win against Sheffield last weekend.

However, still short-benched with injuries to key player, the Vipers struggled in Nottingham and were left fuming at an overtime defeat at home to Belfast.

With the Panthers chasing the leading pack, their victory meant they now had 10 straight wins whilst the Vipers are struggling on their travels with only one win from their last eight on the road.

An opening double in the first period gave the Panthers the upper hand with James Ferrara with his first goal of the season opening the scoring at 5.27. The home side then doubled their lead at 8.59 as Johan Molin netted on his return from injury.

The second period was goalless, but it wasn't for the want of trying from both teams as Tom Askey in the home goal faced 15 shots, whilst Ryan MacDonald in the away net turned the rubber away 13 times.

The Panthers made it 3-0 at 41.55 with a goal from Kevin Bergin. The visitors got one back at 44.32 as Pavel Gomenyuk found the net only to see Patrik Wallenberg on the powerplay restore the Panthers' three goal lead at 48.14. The Vipers got a late consolation at 57.41 as David Longstaff netted on the powerplay.

On Sunday night, Belfast, who were two down after the first period netted three goals in a two minute spell at the midway point in the game to completely turn the game around in their favour. Although the Vipers did come back to draw level, the Giants went on to win it in overtime.

The home side took the honours in a first period that saw them out shoot their opponents by two to one. However, they had to wait until 14.35 before opening the scoring as Derek Campbell found the net. Shaun Johnson doubled the home side's advantage with a goal at 19.50.

Midway through the game it was time for the Giants' revival as Ed Courtenay netted at 29.19. Then at 30.01 Mark Dutiaume tied the game up before Courtenay, with his second, scored a five-on-three powerplay goal at 31.15 to put the visitors in front.

The hosts got back on level terms at 43.20 with a goal from Sergiy Rublivsky. Chances were created at either end but no one could find the net and the game went into overtime. The Giants went into overtime with a big advantage though as Vipers had taken two minor penalties before the end of regulation time, giving the Giants a five-on-three powerplay. It took them only 22 seconds to make the advantage count as Peter Campbell struck home the game winner.

Not for the first time when losing in overtime, Viper frustrations then saw misconduct penalties dished out, this time to Derek Campbell, David Longstaff and coach Rob Wilson.