The Lasalle Vipers kicked off 2025 on the road, facing the St. Thomas Stars in their third meeting of the season. The Vipers have come out on top in their previous two meetings, winning 5-4 and 7-4. Coming out of the holiday break, the Vipers are 2nd in the conference just a few points behind the St. Mary’s Lincolns.
The St. Thomas Stars came out firing, scoring 4 goals in the first period against goalie Jake Windbiel. Over the break, Jake Windbiel made his OHL debut with the Windsor Spitfires, earning a 10-6 win over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. The Stars struck early netting even- strength goals at 0:12, 8:15 and 15:42. They capped off the period with a short-handed goal at 19:42.
Newly acquired goaltender Logan Phillips started the second period for the Vipers. This past Sunday, the Lasalle Vipers traded goalie Dante Bertolin for goalie Logan Phillips from the Sarnia Legionnaires. Phillips, an ’04- born netminder, brings two full seasons of Junior B experience to Lasalle. The only goal of the second was scored at 5:59 by Julian Gignac. His 15th of the season was assisted by Matteo Vilardi and Kieran McNally.
The Stars extended their lead early in the third with a goal at 3:35. Despite being awarded a 5-on-3 advantage, the Vipers were unable to capitalize. Michael Lavigne took two double minor penalties at 10:23 and 10:35. The Stars scored their sixth and final goal at 10:42 on that advantage. Adriano Tonin found the back of the net on the powerplay at 18:21, after the Stars were penalized at 17:22. Final score 6-2 St. Thomas
The Vipers will aim to bounce back in Kitchener- Waterloo on Sunday January 5th. The first home game of 2025 is scheduled for Wednesday January 8th vs the Sarnia Legionnaires.
