RYAN McDONALD today explained how he had shaken off his jetlag to arrive on the Newcastle Vipers scene with a bang before confessing: “I don’t like losing.” The no-nonsense highly-rated goaltender was signed by Vipers head coach Rob Wilson this summer to give his side some consistency between the pipes. Last term’s Elite League season saw Peter Aubry plagued by injury while, despite good early progress, rookie Mark Lee is not deemed experienced enough to sustain a full season of high-octane Elite League matches. Lee’s time will come, according to GB coach Wilson – but for now the emphasis is on Canadian ace McDonald, who arrives in the UK as a highly-rated import. McDonald comes with experience of the East Coast Hockey League and the 22-year-old has been a subject of interest from the NHL. In his first interview since arriving on Tyneside, McDonald said: “I am delighted to be here. “It will take a little bit of adjusting after an eight-hour time change, but once I am on top of that I am looking forward to it. “I have been on the ice now and I am starting to come round.” McDonald pulled off key saves in the opening two games of the season and believes there is more to come. He added: “I am not that big but I am quick and that is the strength I have to play to. “In my career so far I have always tried to keep it solid and try nothing flashy. “I am there to do a job and that is what I will be trying to do. “Last year was only my second year as a pro but I am enjoying it. “Hockey has always been my sport. I have tried other things here and there but always stuck with this.” McDonald, who started his career with Ontario Hockey League side London Knights in 2003, was waiting this year for an offer from the NHL after a season with Fresno where he recorded an impressive 92.5 save percentage in 40 games, the second highest in the ECHL. He underlined his competitive nature when he said: “I do not take losing lightly – nobody likes losing hockey games. “You want to win every game, and if we can all have that mentality it will bode well for a successful season. “I have heard the Newcastle fans can also create a good atmosphere.” | 
