The LaSalle Vipers picked up thrilling victories over the Leamington Flyers and London Nationals in what was a busy and challenging week for the club.
On Wednesday night against the third-place Flyers, LaSalle erased a 2-0 deficit in the third period on goals by Wylie Birkett and Connor Tucker. Looking like the game was destined to go to overtime, Brody Gillis won an offensive zone faceoff back to the point and Brady Hamlin’s one-timer was tipped home by Wylie Birkett with two seconds left on the clock to give the Vipers a thrilling comeback victory over their chief rivals. Ian Michelone made 32 saves for his sixth win of the season.
Playing their lone road game of the week on Friday night in St. Marys, the Vipers battled the second-place Lincolns tooth and nail in a fast and physical game, but ultimately dropped a one-goal contest by a 5-4 score. Spencer Lecot recorded two goals and an assist for the Vipers who outshot the Lincolns 51-38 in the loss.
Closing out the week with what was a very odd scenario on Sunday afternoon, the Vipers and London Nationals completed a Oct. 2 game that was suspended in the third period, and then played a second game in its entirety. London held on to their one-goal lead in the suspended game and added an empty-netter to take a 6-4 victory. With all hands on deck for the second game, the Vipers got third-period goals from Ashton Anderson and Cole Davis and saw the game go to overtime tied at 2-2. In the final minute of the overtime period, captain Spencer Lecot made a nifty play to poke-check a London player and found himself all alone on the goaltender whom he would put a couple of dekes on before putting a backhand shot into the net for the the exciting game-winning goal. Tre Altiman took home Player of the Game honours, making 41 saves for his eighth victory of the season in goal.
Taking four of six points against the top three teams in the Conference, the Vipers will look to close the gap on those teams in their two upcoming games. On Wednesday night they will host the Chatham Maroons before heading to Komoka to take on the Kings on Saturday night.
