NEWCASTLE Vipers defenceman Pavel Gomenyuk says he is delighted to be experiencing a second coming with Rob Wilson’s Elite League hopefuls. The Ukrainian is back for his second spell with the Vipers and, after tasting Play-Off glory with the Newcastle Arena club, he now wants more after picking up a winners gong in 2006 under Wilson and co. Gomenyuk was shocked last year to see Newcastle finish second-bottom in the Elite League and fail to build on their fantastic maiden season in the top flight. But Pasha – as he is known to team-mates – is going into the new campaign full of optimism and raring to go against his old club Hull Stingrays on Saturday before a clash with Nottingham Panthers 24 hours later. He told the Chronicle: “I am really happy I am back – it was a good move for me. “I have some magic memories of being here the last time because we won the Play-Offs in Nottingham. “That was one of the highlights of my career. It was a great season but hopefully the coming season can be even better for us. “It was a surprise that they didn’t follow that up. They had a good team last year but it didn’t work out. “I don’t know quite what happened because I played against Newcastle last year for Hull and it was still very tough.” This year Gomenyuk is ready to put last season’s wrongs well and truly right and confessed that Newcastle don’t fear anybody going into the new term. He added: “The expectations are ambitious here at the Vipers. “It is going to be tough but we are ready for the challenge. “I know know a lot of the staff here very well and David Longstaff, Andre Payette and Shaun Johnson are still here, too. “And I have a good rapport with Rob Wilson. “I am back and I think we can achieve a lot of good things this year.” VIPERS’ clash with Nottingham on Sunday has a 5.30pm face-off and tickets are available on the door. | 
