Newcastle Vipers general manager Jamie Longmuir says facing Nottingham in the Challenge Cup semi-final is a "fantastic achievement" for the club.

Vipers face an uncertain future beyond the end of season and are seeking new owners to guarantee Elite League ice hockey in the north east next term.

Longmuir told BBC Look North; "It's massive, and it's a chance to give a good account of ourselves.

"To be in a semi-final given all we've been through is a massive achievement."

Longmuir added: "We're working towards the end of the season which is great news and hopefully in that time we can secure the club's long-term future.

"I'm continuing to do everything I can, the players and fans are giving us everything they have got to get us to the end of the season.

When you're faced with adversity, it can go one or two ways, and to be honest as a club we get strong with the more adversity we face Vipers general manager Jamie Longmuir

"Hopefully we can showcase that ice hockey deserves to be in the north east in the next eight weeks and hopefully beyond that."

The club currently has a restriction on import signings, and have seen a string of top performers in the shape of Scott Langdon, Patrik Forsbacka and Jamie Carroll all depart the Vipers without seeing out their full contracts.

"I can't speak highly enough of all the players, the coach, have given their all for me and the club and I'm proud every time they step on the ice for us.

"When you're faced with adversity, it can go one or two ways, and to be honest as a club we get strong with the more adversity we face, and qualifying for a semi-final under the backdrop we did is testament to that.

"The guys we've got have been fantastic and I couldn't be prouder."

Newcastle host Nottingham at Whitley on Wednesday, with the return at Nottingham on Sunday.

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