Hawks do double over Vipers

11:03am Wednesday 27th February 2008

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Blackburn Hawks enjoyed the perfect weekend as they subjected ice hockey rivals Newcastle Vipers to double defeat in the English Cup.

Ace forward David Meikle was firing on all cylinders, bagging four strikes as Hawks cruised to a 7-2 away victory on Saturday and followed it with an 11-2 win the following night back at the Arena.

The superb victories put Hawks in a very promising position as the competition really starts to hot up.

Both sides took a little time to get into their rhythm on Saturday, but fortunately it was Hawks who found their feet first and they headed in for the interval a goal to the good thanks to Max Drakeley.

The Vipers came out in the second period a new side and netted a quick double to take the lead. Good work from Aaron Davies and Sam Dunford set up Chad Briggs who levelled the score.

Hawks took full advantage as Newcastle began to tire in the final period. In a frantic five-minute spell, Wayne Slater, Aaron Davies and Meikle netted to put the away side comfortably ahead. MVP Meikle completed his hattrick with two further strikes.

Hawks took total control from the word go in the return fixture.

The Vipers brought an extremely short bench and it took just two minutes for Hawks to open the score through Chris Arnone.

Minutes later Arnone found Lance Derbyshire who skated clear to score the second. Hawks dropped their guard a little and let the Vipers get several clear shots away, but goalie Ian Thirkettle made some impressive stops.

Wayne Slater netted another for the home side before goals from Ricci Hulme and Drakeley put Hawks further ahead.

The in-form Meikle got himself on the scoresheet shortly after the first break. Newcastle managed to pull one back, however seconds later Anthony Kinder restored the six goal advantage.

Sam Dunford added the eighth, Hawks' eighth different scorer of the game, just before the end of the second period.

Kinder, Michael Brunton and Drakeley increased the lead further in the final period, but as tempers flared both Ricci Hulme and Arnone collected match bans for fighting.