In the first game of a home and away against the Stratford Warriors, the Vipers played an exciting offensive game that saw more goals than penalties. Rookie Julian Gignac scored his first GOJHL hat trick and Max Brocklehurst potted the OT winner in this Wednesday night matchup.
The Vipers opened the first strong with Matteo Vilardi scoring just 2:13 into the game. Julian Gignac followed scoring at 8:20, doubling the Vipers lead. Stratford managed to close the gap with a goal at 15:24. Vipers ended the first 20 minutes up by 1.
The Warriors scored 3 consecutive goals at 1:49, 2:21 and 6:41 to open the second period. One of their goals was ruled a power play goal as Alec Stewart was called for holding. Now trailing 4-2 the Vipers needed some momentum. Julian Gignac scored at 6:56 and 12:13 to complete the comeback and his first GOJHL hat trick. Gignac’s 3rd goal was ruled a power play goal.
The 3rd frame was full of back and forth, 5 on 5 hockey for the whole 20 minutes. Neither team could find the back of the net, setting the stage for overtime.
At 5:33 into overtime, Alec Stewart picked the puck right off the Warriors player and fed Max Brocklehurst who then scored the game winner, sealing the 5-4 victory for the Vipers
The Vipers and Warriors face off again this Friday November 29th in Stratford. The next home game isn’t until Wednesday December 11th when the Stratford Warriors come back to the Vollmer Culture R.C.
