2004 - The Auckland Ice Hockey league changed the way it would operate.  Due to this, new teams were born out from the old.  So the Vipers team was created.  The team was formed from the Celtics team, which was formally part of the Vikings Club.  The first year, and the team made it through to the semi-finals where they lost against the Pirates, who went on to win the league.

2005 - Due to the increase of members playing, the league split the Senior Non Checking league into two leagues.  A Grade and B Grade.  The Vipers were entered in to the A grade league. Though the team had a large amount of players leave the team, they struggle on.  They played several games with 5-6 Players.  At the end of the season, they were demoted to Senior B against the Rockets.

2006 - First year in the Senior B league and with a few of the old members back, the Vipers were back in action. Three teams dominate the league, with the Vipers coming in third equal with the eagles.  In the playoffs, the Vipers faced the eagles and feeling very confident, as they had defeated them in every game beforehand, went down 5-3.  The Eagles went on to defeat the Tigers in the final and also move up into the Senior A league.

2007 - Vipers have a new look team.  With some of the core team still around from the Vipers days and a large chunk of new players to the scene.  So far they have gone from not looking to good and rebuilding, to a team who has defeated everyone on the league and the including several times the top of the league team the Savages.

History 2007

Last Year -

So the Vipers lost the final and the Shannon just won.  It was a close game and could have gone either way.  We would like to thank all the supporters that turned up.  It was greatly appreciated.  Anyhow, we look forward to the New Year

This Saturday SNC B FINALS

VIPERS vs SHANNON

6:45 Start - Botany !

The game of the year!

4/10/2007 - VIPERS ARE IN THE FINALS!!!

That is right, for the first time in the history of the Vipers, they have made it to the finals! and what a way to get there with an absolute thriller of a game against the Tigers!  The Vipers were off to a terrible start with both the Captain and the Assistant captain taking a stint in the penalty box within the first 3 minutes of the game!  Then Tigers went to score straight after the penalty was over... However the Vipers pulled back and took the lead... add in a penalty shot against the Vipers, someone missing an empty net, last minute attempts and a score of 4-3 to the Vipers and you have a real game of hockey going.

So the Vipers beat the Tigers and make up for last years semi.  Now they have to face the Shannon.  Who beat the Savages 4-2.

21/09/2007 - Vipers Second in the League

The playoffs are now in session with the first round happening this weekend. With the Vipers just claiming the Second Position (by 1 point from the Tigers) they get a free pass through the first round of playoffs!....

A Great effort by a reasonable new team!  The competition has been the closet it ever has been this year.   With four teams swapping positions throughout the session. 

So here we go into the Semi Finals!  Good Luck Team!  and remember to invite everyone you can to come watch us play and provide support!

21/09/2007 - Vipers vs Shannon

With all the positions been secure, this game was maybe a prequel to a potential finals game. However, the Vipers were already off to a bad start, with Rob and Scott away.  Then it got worse with Jo taking an accidental high stick in the face. (which turned out to be a broken nose, concussion and three stitches)  We hope you get better quickly Jo.  This also means he would be out of the finals play.  A huge loss for the Vipers.  From here, the Shannon proceeded to take hold of the game, with fast skating, great positional play and generally playing good hockey.  The picked apart the Vipers.  The Vipers failed to take their opportunities with several power plays going past with little to no shots on net. 

21/09/2007 - Vipers vs Reds

Vipers were looking at this game as a must win.  As a win would secure them second place and also a free pass through the first round of the play offs.   The reds were looking to try and change the season around and so added a few of the blue players.   The Vipers however took hold of the game, and played outstanding.  With great defence work and with great positional play the Vipers won the game confidently.

29/08/2007 - Vipers play exhibition match against the Auckland Women Rep Team

This was much banter around this match between Sarah and the Vipers, as she was representing the Women in this game.  Some of the Vipers were making notes of what number she was.  The Vipers even had to pull in the top guns, with Tony donning the pads for goalie, due to Anton still injured.   Well the game started off with a flying start and the Vipers did not take long to hit out and make a statement to the banter being thrown around.  Pulling up 1 goal straight off the bat.  After intense pressure, the Womens team were down 3-0 by the second period.   However, they made their call against the Vipers and it must have worked, as the managed to pull a goal back and win the period 1-0.  The third period and the vipers were now angry at another call against there good natured name.  With a tightly fought period, Vipers managed to pull up the score to 4-1 at the end.  Though I will say there were some dodgy ref calls and wonder who the ref was...   Anyhow, it as was a great game to play and both sides took some valuable lessons.

29/08/2007 - Tigers vs Vipers Overview

As the competition hots up, the rivalry between the Tigers and the Vipers does as well.   Last time it was a draw game as both sides battle hard.  The Vipers had to pull a replacement goalie in due to Anton being injured and there was concerns over whether or not he was going to make it.  With no goalie, the game got off to a very slow start, with the Vipers immediately calling a time out.  This aloud the goalie to change and get out on the ice.   Finally the game went ahead and it was the Tigers who struck first blood, scoring a goal to push them 1-0 up in the first period.  Though it was not long before the Vipers pulled it back and slotted one against the Tigers.  The second period and the one the Vipers normally struggle against, was plagued by penalties from both sides, not allowing either side to get a real flow or the upper hand. The third period came about and the Vipers came out firing.  Scoring a goal to push them up 2-1.  Even after a huge amount of pressure from the Tigers, the Vipers hanged on for the win.  A much needed win and one that the whole team worked hard to get.  Every player working as hard as they can for this one.

13/8/2007 - Savages vs Vipers Game Overview

With the Savages falling against the Vipers in the last two games and also losing the top spot in the league, they were hungry for a win.  They came out fighting in the first and were the first ones to break the deadlock.  Scoring on the first goal.  The Vipers were not ones to let that go and carried on with some great passing and strong attack to score against the Savages Defence.   Even as the headed in the second and the danger zone for the Vipers, known to let games slip during this period.   The Savages were quick to take advantage and pulled another goal, pulling themselves into the lead once more.   The Vipers however had the majority of the puck and forcing the Savages to pull some scrambling defence.   With The third period up and the score one down, the Vipers picked up the pace of the game and came out swinging, scoring a goal to even up the score.  The battle continued and it looked like the Savages may pull a win, as they won a power play. However, some strong defence and great offence squashed the penalty and when the Vipers goalie made a great save and kick the puck out to a waiting Vipers forward, if proved to be the setup for a great goal.  Vipers coming home once more with the win against the Savages!

9/8/2007 - Website Updated....

You may have notice the website seems a little different!  Well that is due to it being overhauled in the last month.  Though there are still some quirks to fix up, and some more changes to happen, this will be the general look and feel for now.  It will be updated as much as possible with as much information that is sent through. 

So feel free to fire through comments, photo's etc, and we will post it up here.

30/07/2007 - Website Update

Just to let you all know, I am currently working on a new website, which should make it easier for me to update and utilising the new logo.

30/07/2007 -  Double Header! Savages / Reds

Apologise for the delay in updating the Website.  So this weekend we had a double header...   Taking on the top of the league Savages and also taking on the bottom of the league Reds. 

The First game was against the top of the league Savages,  a team that we have always competed against very well, with a outstanding performance last time.  This time, it was to be much the same, with the Vipers controlling the game with some good passing, passion and general good team work.  The game was a great one to watch, but the Savages were starting to feel the pressure, as they continued to dump the puck for icing.  Great game and a great win for the Vipers winning 4-2. (Though we were lucky to make it due to the early start and no warning).

The next game was against the Reds.  The Vipers weary from last nights battle and the late start, came out and dominated the first period.  Though the score only showed 2-1 at this stage, 90% of the time the Vipers were in the Reds half.  The second period was much the same, but the Reds had a break away and even up the score, but the Vipers dominance in the Reds half and some great runs by the captain crushed the hopes of the reds with the Vipers winning 4-2.

Overall a great weekend for the Vipers.

19/05/2007 - Vipers vs Shannon

The Vipers came here to play hockey today and that is what they did.  With the Shannon stamping their name on the league as the team to beat, the Vipers were up for the challenge.  Straight out the box and they were denied a early goal by a tough call from the ref about somebody being in the goalie D, even know this person did nothing to hinder the goalie.  Anyhow, the Vipers were still the first to score.  Putting the Shannon on the back foot.  But in true Shannon form, they came flying back with a break away.  The Vipers keen for this game not to slip away from them were the next to put another goal on the board, with a great one on one by Che.  But it did not last long with Shannon again pegging the Vipers back.  Second period came round and the Vipers talk, was to do the same again.  That is exactly what they did putting themselves up 3-2.   This game was close, as just as the previous times, the Shannon broke away again and scored.  This was end to end hockey.  In the third and the Vipers were applying the pressure, but just unable to score.  They finally put another point on the board.  Things were looking good for the Vipers with some great scrambling defence and some hard attacking, they looked to have done the almost impossible.  But unfortunately fate looked the other way and the Shannon pegged one back in the final minutes.   The score would end at 4-4.  With a brilliant game of hockey.  A great effort by the Vipers... the team really getting together at the moment.

12/05/2007 - Vipers vs Voodoo

Since I was not there, the word on the street is, that we had a great game and won!

05/05/2007 - Vipers vs Tigers

Tigers won.  Cannot remember much more about this.

30/04/2007 - Vipers vs Reds

The Vipers were looking to carry on the winning streak.  The spirits were high and they came out firing.  There were some unlucky chances.  It was however the reds to open the scoring with their new import.  The Vipers hit out applying large amounts of pressure onto the Reds, but just unable to score.  The second period was still all the same, but the Reds again were able to make the break pulling another goal from the new import.  The third and at was becoming almost predictable, with all the same things happening again.  With the reds scoring again and still unable to score.  The Vipers go down 3-0, but due to the new import being un-registered, this will go down as a Vipers vicotry. 

21/04/2007 - Vipers vs Voodoo

The Vipers were looking to claim the first victory of the season.  The game started with the Vipers coming out flying with the original line of Mark, Che and Rob.  It was all Vipers and the pressure paid off putting them up 1-0 in the first. The Second period and the Vipers defence was holding well.  This opened up the forwards to put the pressure on the Vipers and pull up another goal.  It was not long before the Vipers pulled another goal, heading up to 3-0.  The third brought the Voodoo trying to turn the game into a scrappy event, with some cheap hits. The Vipers kept it calm and finally won the game.  Pulling the first win of the year and then first shut out for the new Vipers goalie.

14/04/2007 - Vipers vs Savages

Well what a game.  It was hard fought every period.  The Savages opened up the scoring with two quick goals, but the Vipers sprung back into action with another goal.   Heading in to the second and the both teams slowed the pace down from the fast speed from the first.   Both teams struggled against each other and in the third, Savages took the next goal.  This was quickly followed by Vipers hitting back.  A very close call by the refs on what we believe was a goal but to be denied by the ref.  The Savages turned this around and manage to peg one more goal before half time. This sealed the game for Savages 5-2.  This was a huge improvement for the Vipers from the last game and was a damn close game.  We will have to take our revenge next time.

02/04/2007 - Vipers vs Shannon

The Vipers knew it was going to be a tough game against Shannon, especially on the larger rink of Botany suiting their fast skating approach.  Vipers were also hampered by missing some players and reducing the defence down to one sub.  Shannon can out firing and were soon underway scoring within the first 5 minutes from a slap shot our from the blue line.  From here Vipers struggled to get any decent goal scoring chances, as Shannon played their style of play to the full advantage.  Though a few calls seem to be going against the Vipers, the share speed wore down the vipers into a 15-0 rout.   The Vipers learning all too quickly they need to rebuild their team faster.

30/03/2007 -  Hockey Season is back and the Vipers start their new season. 

Several changes have already taken place, with the Vipers now moving into association with the Eagles.  I move which has enabled the Vipers to enjoy more practices and experience from the Eagle players.

Also with a new look team.  With Rob, Paul, Shannon, Hayden, Kieran and Issac leaving the team, the management have been able to pick several new players and start re-building the team.

So all new team and also some new teams in the league, it is all excitement for the start of the season...    

**Please note all articles above are the personal opinion of the** Webmaster and not of the Viper Management.  If you have any questions, please e-mail the address below.