Ice Hockey: Big Mac ready to do battle

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Oct 25, 2008

Byline: By LEE RYDER

NEWCASTLE Vipers enforcer Chris McAllister has revealed he is ready to put his body on the line in the name of victory for his side this weekend.

The Vipers travel to Hull Stingrays tonight before an intriguing home fixture with Basingstoke Bison.

Last time out for Big Mac, the 6ft 7in giant fought with ex-Viper Jeremy Cornish, the Canadian leaving the ice dripping with blood after challenging the former NHL hard man.

McAllister had 61 fights during his long career in the NHL but, since returning to Newcastle this season, his duel with Cornish is his only major tussle so far on home ice.

Yet, looking ahead to the clashes with both Hull and Bison, McAllister told the Chronicle: "Jeremy knows his role and I know mine.

"Last time he was trying to give his side a spark, but it gave us a spark to go on and win ourselves. I will just play the game.

"I know what my job is, and if it happens again it happens.

"I will just do what I have to do if the situation arises."

McAllister - who starred for the Toronto Maples Leafs and Colorado Avalanche in his NHL days - is hoping the Vipers can pick up good results in their next five games, which head coach Rob Wilson feels are all winnable matches.

Big Mac says: "At the start of the year we played some of the top teams.

"Now we have a lot of teams who are below us in the table - and we should beat all of them.

"We want to stay in touch with the top sides in the Elite League.

"We are aiming to play with a good mindset and take 10 points from the next five matches. That will put us right back in there.

"We have had a good week after beating Sheffield. There has been a good spirit in the camp.

"Last week we had lost to Belfast, so we were determined to hit back and beat Sheffield. We regrouped and did just that.

"Now we must go to Hull and play a solid road game. Then, in front of our fans, pick up points.

"They were great last week and we want to win it for them again."

Last term McAllister played in the Atlantic Hockey League with Hershey Bears and admits he is enjoying being back on Tyneside for his second stint after playing in 2005 in the BNL days.

He added: "I am enjoying it. Last season I was playing 10 to 12 minutes a night.

"This year it has been 30-plus minutes per night. I have found my legs and lungs again now and I am feeling good.

"There have also been some great people who work at the club who have helped me settle in, like Andy Sinclair and Ali Cree, who I have to thank."

Face-off tomorrow is at 5.30, with tickets on sale right up until the start.

CAPTION(S):

UP FOR THE FIGHT: Vipers' enforcer Chris McAllister