It was a challenging back-to-back weekend for the LaSalle Vipers, losing both games. One on the road in London, then returning home and falling short by one goal to the Listowel Cyclones.
LaSalle opened the weekend on the road at Western Fair, where Adam Bartel got the start in net. Andon Harwood took the first penalty of the night at 3:03, and London capitalized, scoring a powerplay goal just 32 seconds later. Both teams spent much of the period shorthanded, combining for seven minor penalties before the Nationals struck again on the man advantage at 12:19.
London added an insurance marker at 6:15 of the second period, despite taking three penalties of their own in the frame. A buzzer-beater at 19:59 sent the Vipers into the third trailing 4-0.
The final period saw one penalty to each side before Kieran McNally broke through former Vipers goaltender Dante Bertolin’s shutout bid. London added to their tally at 13:22 and 19:21 to seal a 6-1 final.
Back home less than 24 hours later, the Vipers battled through a late-night, early game turnaround and delivered a much stronger performance in a tight matchup with the Listowel Cyclones.
In the first, Listowel opened the scoring at 15:03, with each team taking just one minor penalty.
LaSalle responded early in the second with a goal from Luke St. John, who tied the game at 1:01. Nic Rosati followed up at 6:59 to give the Vipers their first lead. The Cyclones evened the game again at 14:40, and a lone penalty to Joe Gingras at 17:03 closed out the period.
Listowel grabbed a 3-2 lead at 4:03 of the third, but the Vipers answered back quickly. After a Cyclones penalty, Connor Chartrand scored the tying goal on the powerplay. Both teams had multiple chances until Listowel found the eventual game-winner at 13:38. LaSalle could not find the equalizer, despite Jake Windbiel being pulled at 18:24 for the extra attacker.
The Vipers have no Wednesday game again this week and will play just once on Saturday night in Strathroy.
Article: Emma Cicovacki
Photo: Isabella Ruccolo
