The LaSalle Vipers erased an early 2-0 deficit and came back to earn a 4-2 victory over the Strathroy Rockets on Saturday night in Strathroy.
Trailing 2-0, Vipers forward Patrick McManus scored a power-play goal late in the second period to ignite the comeback. Another power-play goal seven minutes into the third by Carson Woodall brought things level, and then fellow defenseman Owen Findlay notched the game-winner on a wrister from the point with 3:42 left in regulation. Woodall hit the empty-net for his second of the night to salt away the 4-2 victory. It was the 10th tally of the season for the rookie defenseman who joined teammates Brady Hamlin and Spencer Lecot with double-digits in goals on the season, and making the Vipers the only team in the GOJHL with three defenseman having 10+ goals. Tre Altiman made 36 saves in the game, including several big ones in the third period for his 13th win of the season.
The win helps LaSalle keep pace in a tight race atop the Western Conference standings. They currently trail the St. Marys Lincolns by one point for third-place and are four points behind London and Leamington who are tied for first with 58 points.
The Vipers next action comes on Wednesday night when they will take on the Chatham Marooms for the final time in the regular-season. Game-time at the Vollmer Complex is set for 7:00 PM.
