THE Vipers’ worrying run of results continued as they slumped to their fifth consecutive defeat. Rob Wilson’s team had not long killed a penalty when its starting line-up opened up the Steelers defence. Derek Campbell and Todd Jackson linked up, before top scorer Colin Shields broke his four-game goalless streak by shooting home. Shields’ fifth minute goal was cancelled out during the Vipers second attempt at a penalty kill. Andre Payette was serving his 328th penalty minute of the season when Dan Tessier made the man advantage pay on 10 minutes. Two goals scored one minute and 19 seconds apart put the home side 3-1 ahead with Jonathan Phillips (14) and Jerry Talbot (15) scoring. But with little time left in the period Jeff Hutchins halved the deficit following passing between David Longstaff and Shaun Johnson. The Vipers wasted two powerplay opportunities in the middle period and just over a minute after their second failure, the Steelers re-established a two goal advantage. Phillips and Rod Sarich created the 32nd minute score and Tessier hit what was his 10th goal of the season. As they had to, the Vipers gambled by lifting goalie Ryan MacDonald in the final stages of the game. The sixth skater didn’t work however. Hutchins surrendered possession as a result of what looked like an obvious cross check and Tessier completed his hat-trick by firing into the unguarded goal with seconds left on the clock. Tonight the Vipers hope to get back to winning ways when they entertain the bottom of the table side the Hull Stingrays, at the Metro Radio Arena (face-off 5.30pm). SHEFFIELD STEELERS: Tessier 3+1, Phillips 1+1, Talbot 1+1, Dagenis, Finnerty, Sheppard and Tait 0+1. MOBILX NEWCASTLE VIPERS: Hutchins and Shields 1+0, D Campbell, Jackson, Johnson and Longstaff 0+1. | 
