Panda's On Tour: Newcastle Vipers 18/09/05

Batmobile gets Panthered/Panda'd up

Good Old Rusty Rita, Angel of The North.

Vipers Office or Royston Vasey's Local Shop: You decide!
(Max & Paddy were there too!)

They give out free papers, but can still afford a radio station,
shopping centre, & Arena. Blimey!

Warm Up: The great giver of False Hope

After 17 hours of build up the Vipers & Donkey finally enter the Rave!
(no photo doctoring this time!!!)

What followed wasn't worth photographing, &
Evil Panda was looking mightily Peed off on the journey back!

But don't get too down, I'm sure it won't be long until we see the Panthers Conga again!

Spen #78

Well what can we say about this weekend!! The return of the Jeckall & Hyde Panther’s. Well Saturday started bad enough when I was woken by a phone call from our captain who needed a hand moving house! I never knew there was 2 8.30’s on a Saturday. Anyway after waking up very slowing I dragged my ass into town to meet Warren & Lou Lou in star bucks. A triple shout cappuccino was needed but after getting it wrong and making a latté the first time. The numb nut’s behind the counter then proceeded do me another 3 shot latte!!! Not a good start to the day!!

Anyway after drinking our coffees we left star bucks and headed for the car and drove back our captains pad. Now we were supposed to originally be able to get into the new house at 8.00am, it was then put back the 10.00am and as we sat there about to start moving. Andy received a txt from his land lord saying it was now going to be 11 o’clock!! (Oh the fun and games of moving house!!) So then we only had one choice. Unpack the play station and play bommerman!(Very unsuccessfully, even if I do say myself!)

So after being battered by the computer we then play bommerman baseball!! Andy jumped straight in a lead in the game but then thanks mostly to Lou Lou covering our captains eyes I was able to get back and take the lead. But in the end we decided it would be much more fun to play bommerman tennis instead!! What a wise move that was to prove to be!! After starting badly and being 5-0 down in the 1 set mate!! We finally got our act together in what proved to be an epic. With my character appearing to be around 30 stone and not able to move around the court we somehow managed to fight back to lead 6-5 before our streak came to an end and the computer pulled level at 6 all!! Time to roll the sleeves up and we sure did by taking the tie break 7-2. What a victory! What a performance! What a team!

So by the time we’d finished our epic of a game the landlord had finally arrived at the new house!! Andy popped over to have a word. 5 minutes later Lou got a phone call from Andy requesting my services in the new house. So I ventured over! We then moved on to build up a wardrobe and the new bed. Then finally it was time to start moving all Andy’s gear by 3 o’clock we had finally finished. Just left us enough time for me to batter and on Rugby on the PS2 as Italy game Ireland a rugby lesson.

By 4.30 I was home and tucking in to my lovely roast chicken dinner! Building myself up to what I hoped would be a great game. Neil arrived at my house, closely followed by Andy & Lou arriving in the car!! We piled in and arrived at the arena 10min later. I had arranged for Andy to have his photo taken to Clarkey before the game for his birthday. So we went down to the players bench. And then back to the seats to watch warm up.

So to the game and I have to say I was very impressed with what I saw on Saturday. We looked excellent and I think it was probably the best black and gold performance for a couple of years. Although Cardiff we’re just like London were last year. They were just a bunch of Miserable and Childish brats! Still we won and looked good!! That’s all that matters!! Although I do have 1 complaint and that is that the bloody Ice Blast machine broke!! I couldn’t get my sugar rush!! Oh the Stress!!!

After the game we gathered round our usual table in the T&D bar for a few drinks! Only Danny, Curtis and Matt came up but still it wasn’t long before we left and retired for the night!

The lights are more "Rave" this year
#78 Spen

Spen78 checking in for action.

Get to see the Black & Golds for the first time this season tonight - the Devils from Cardiff the visitors I'm hoping for a win - I think 3-0 with Clarkey getting a brace & this new fellow Tessier getting the 3rd. Victory will taste sweet with one of the Ice Blast thingymajigs I'm sure!!!

Let's Go Panda's

Well now time for my thought for Saturday and our Road trip to Geordie land on Sunday! (And no Warren and Me are not running the Great North Run or in our case the great north walk!!)

On Saturday we face the Devils from that minor country of Wales! To be honest if we can play like we played in the second period on Saturday I fancy our chances. I believe Cardiff WILL be challenging us for the title this year so if we can get the upper hand on them this early then it will be a huge bonus and one over them! Score prediction 4-3 with panthers winning by the odd goal in seven. Goals from Clarke, Carderelli, Tessier and Curt Bowen scoring on his debut! Plus Warren and me high on Ice Blast Again. We also have the return of the head case known to us all as #80 Wykesie!!! As well as the return of Mummy Duffy #1 Should be in for a good night!!

On to Sunday! To be honest there’s not much to say apart from I must make sure I remember a blow up Donkey and remember “Payette in a Donkey!!!, Payette is a Donkey!!! LA LA LA LA!!! Hey!! LA LA LA LA!!! Hey!!” Once again I think we’ll just sneak this one 2-1 but I reckon lots of PIM’s and I look forward to watching either Kurt or Dion do some Donkey bashing!! As for goals I’ll go for Cote and Clarke!!

Hopefully this will be a good weekend even if we don’t get back til 1am!!

Come on the Lads
Sing it Loud!!
I’m a Panda!!
And I’m Proud!!

#86

I know it’s taken a few day to get my thoughts posted but I’ve been rather busy and all! Surviving a brewery trip on Monday, 32 screaming cubs on Tuesday and I’ve just got back from losing my 10pin League Match 3-1 in the final frame.

Anyway enough of the rubbish! Now where shall I start! First a great 3-2 win for Boston on Saturday put me in a really good mood for the first panthers home game of the season. I couldn’t wait to get to the arena. I arrived at the arena for about 6.00 and spent the first 15min stood outside the seated area waiting for the faming blue jackets to let us in! Finally we get in and the usual faces from last season are there.

I made my way over to Block 16 to watch the boy’s warm up, accompanied by my Kate-Luul and Sophie and I have to say in warm up they looked pretty good. I was good to get back with the rest of the Bamboo army and the other, Warren, Lou Lou, Emma & Rachel. At the end of warm up as loser boy came off the ice he passed my two little girls a puck each and that put a really good smile on their faces. Then it was back over to my seat to watch us take on the scum!

Then with the usual music being played too loud the lads took the ice. For the first time in the national anthem I was blinded by the light from the top of Patterson’s head! First period was pretty even if I’m honest, no PIMs and no goals says it all really. The JODY chants had stared though. All in all pretty happy with the first. Along came the period break and it was time for me and Panda #17 to stock up on Tango Ice Blast’s! (Mmmmm Sugar Good!!!!!!)

On to the second period!! Panther’s at their best 3 goals and a 5min Power Play as well. The top like of Clarke, Dan and Dan is looking really good and long may that continue. Have to say Dan T’s goal was quite special as was Clarkey’s. OK they were both on the PP but man did they take them well. And then to top it off Brad “Bald as a Coot” Patterson scores for me the goal that sealed the squealers fate. So then Period 2 break and more tango Ice Blast (By now the rush was good!!) Although I felt sorry the poor lad who didn’t get served until panda 17 told the stupid women behind the counter too. Fair play the staff on the Ice Blast machine as we got blast the more than filled the containers.

Period 3 and it was probably Squealers period overall although they never looked like scoring more than 1 goal!! And as Andy pointed out how nice it would be if the goal read Peron, Ceman, Sample. A joke that carried over to the game in Scum land the following day!! (Hopefully our captain will do the report for that game!!!) So finally the buzzer went and what a way to start the season. A successful 3-1 victory over the enemy!! Nice Start lads keep it up!!
Then it was on to the T&D bar for a few celebratory beverages!! Then Loser boy came up nursing his lip (Is it cus he is black style!) Then it was time to go home, tuck myself in and prepare for Sunday up the M1.

Anyway I’ve rambled on enough so I’ll leave it there! I’ll post my thought on the coming weekend tomorrow night!!

Cheers for now!!

Sammo #86 (A)

Well Only 24 hours to go and I'll be sat in my seat watching the Panthers hopefully batter the Squeelers! Anyway first I have to negotiate a night out with the cricket lads. Starting in the goose in the Square for some strange reason (argggg!!!!!!)

Still, now time for my first prediction of the season. I believe the score tomorrow night will be 4-1 to the panthers with Tessier scoring 2, Clarke 1 and Dion get one against his ex empoyers!!! I can't wait! Anyway I'll post my reaction from Sat and prediction for sunday when I get back on saturday.

See you tomorrow people!

Sammo #86

Here we are the game report from Wednesday folks by Panda #17.

Well a trip down the A1 and with Lou-Lou Directing we arrived around 7.30 A little disappointed that there were no programs, only a game sheet. As I wasn't doing IH I wasn't fussed. It was my first trip to Phantom land, and suitably impressed. For team which has set its stall in the EPL, a lot could be learnt by some of our EIHL Teams.

Wondered round to the Block, found some seats, just in time as the music got cranked and the lights lowered. Then the Panthers complete with New Uniforms made there way… along the front of the away blocks. Quite an anti climax, but I will say it is the closest I have come to a panther in full uniform (as we were on the front row). It did give the girls (Lou-Lou and Emma) a chance to decide up close who was going to be on there shirts. Now this as other Panda's and Hockey "Males" will know that this choice is not made by viewing a players skill or ability but by his looks.

It was nice to see the familiar faces of Danny boy, (Cheeky git didn't tell me he had signed) Matty, and Mambo to name a few. James Neil had been brought down so a good chance for him to gel and cut it with the big boys. Out came the Phantoms, Notable inclusions were the Buckman, Yardley and Moore (the tank of a keeper we "Borrowed" last season when Wooly was injured.) Now for face off. With only 3 d-men it was obvious that Mopes was gonna go on D. As for the match.

Now I could go into grave detail but I can't for 2 main reasons.

A. I can't be bothered.

B. I can’t remember.

All I know is that we didn't play with set lines. There seemed to be set combinations for set situations. A few names seemed to jump out, The "Top" line so to speak of Mambo, Tessier and Welch. They scored nigh on all the points. And rightly so. We played with a man in front of the net (Mainly Mambo) when we had the puck with this line and all bar one man dropping back for D duties. Everyone showed great Grit and wanted to score points even down to the final buzzer. There were faces that were knackered, but rightly so. Another high point was the passing. We managed it. And for long periods in an attacking manor. Non of this I want to walk it in or wait for the perfect shot. It seems we now have the players who don't need the perfect shot to score.

I was highly impressed by the communication and passing abilities of Patterson. Pin point pass led to Dan's 2nd goal. Highly impressive.

Now for My favourite 2 points.

1. Blaz's Goal. Now we saw last season some great break away players, KK, Roman, Nemo. If Blaz's goal was anything to go by then God help the rest of the EIHL. He took a good break and stayed tight to the left hand boards. At the face off circle he cut inside, almost aiming skate into the far post. At about 2" out of the area he deaked, stopped, deaked again. By this point the net minder was flapping by his far post and Blaz was calmly stood by his near post, and just tapped it in.

2. the Penalty Kill Goal. Now I know we were playing the Phantoms. I know they are only EPL. BUT any team should have a shot on a PP (except us at points last season) The main reason is that you have more players. The team short will play defensive and dump the puck to change the lines giving you chance to at least bring it forward. Now for the best bit. 2mins and 20secs (approx) into he PK and we had only let them touch the puck on the face off. We didn't dump aimlessly. We played calm and compelling defensive hockey. We saw a chance, went for it, and scored a good team goal.

A few other points…. Dion looked like he wants to be accepted and them main way he seems to want to do this is by sticking up for the guys, and trying to score at any opportunity.
As I said a few names looked a little off the pace. Cardarelli. Or Joe C as he may become, looked quite with it despite stepping off a plane just hours before

Anyway speak to whoever, whenever, however. Life is good. So see you on Saturday.

Panthers are you listening?
To the song were singing?
Skating along,
Singing our song,
DRINKING WITH THE PANDAS AS WE GO!

Andrew Warren #17

Well what can we say only 2 Day's to go til the start of the new Ice Hockey season and I have to say I can't wait. Last night the Panthers travelled to Peterborough Phantoms in a chalenge match and by all account it was a success with the Panthers winning 9-2. A Hatrick and man of the match performace from Dan Tessier and 2 period shut out from Curtis Cruickshank. Panda's #17 Warren and #7 Lou Lou were at the game and Warren says he was very impressed by what he saw!! Hopefully he can put a posting on the match soon.

I'm seriously looking forward to Saturday and the visit of the Squeelers as well as the trip up the M1 on sunday. Having Blazer back certainly has given me every confidence, in what will hopefully will be a sucessful season.

Hopefully our Panda shirts will be arriving soon and as soon as they do a picture will be posted.

Welcome to the home of the Nottingham Panda's a group of Nottingham Panther's fan following the team at home and away!! You'll find us in Block 11 or the T&D bar at home games and hopefully our shirts should arrive soon so people can recognise us even more!!

Ey Ooh We Eat Bamboo!!!!!!