The LaSalle Vipers scored three times in the third period to erase a one-goal deficit and skate away with a win over the Sarnia Legionnaires on Thursday night in Sarnia.
Trailing 4-3, Stephane Crevier scored on a power-play early in the third, converting on a great backdoor feed from Nic Pavia. The Vipers penalty-kill then came up big, killing a two-man advantage and then another penalty almost immediately after to set the stage for some late dramatics. The game-winner came when Ethan Hamelin hit Brody Gillis alone out front with a pass and he quickly deposited it in the back of the net to give LaSalle a 5-4 lead with 3:44 left on the clock. Pavia then hit the empty net to salt it away.
Seven different LaSalle skaters had a multi-point game, while Kyle Downey made 29 stops for the Vipers who outshot the Legionnaires 51-33 overall. Patrick McManus, Tanner Winegard, and a shorthanded goal from Nick Graniero had the visitors up 3-2 after a high-scoring first period.
Having posted back-to-back victories, the Vipers moved into a tie with Komoka for fifth-place in the Western Conference, but hold a game in hand on the Kings. That next game comes on Saturday night, when the team will head to London to take on the first-place Nationals.
