The Vipers returned home for the second half of the season on Wednesday night, welcoming the Stratford Warriors for the final meeting between the two teams. It also marked the first game of a three-game week for LaSalle. Despite a strong push early on, the Vipers ultimately fell 7-3.
Stratford wasted no time getting on the board, opening the scoring just 1:51 into the first period. The Warriors added another at 6:04 to take an early two-goal lead. The remainder of the opening frame belonged to the Vipers, as Michael Cunha got LaSalle on the board at 14:10. The Vipers continued to press and were rewarded with the tying goal from Ian Inskip with just one minute remaining in the period.
At 2:37 into the second, LaSalle was forced to kill off a penalty. The Vipers were later awarded a power play of their own, but a costly turnover resulted in a Stratford shorthanded goal. Josh Lepain was assessed a holding penalty at 14:16, and the Warriors extended their lead once again. Kale Pucovsky responded with a goal to pull LaSalle back within one, but Stratford quickly answered with an insurance marker.
Stratford put the game out of reach in the final frame, scoring twice more to seal a 7-3 win.
The Vipers now move past this one and turn their focus to the remainder of the week, hitting the road on Friday to take on St. Thomas before returning home on Sunday to host the Legionnaires.
Article: Emma Cicovacki
Photo: Isabella Ruccolo
