Last night, the Lasalle Vipers ended the first month of the season in a thrilling shootout win vs the St. Thomas Stars. The Vipers were up 4-1 but two powerplay goals and one even strength goal pulled the Stars up to tie it. After neither team could score in overtime, Brendan Gouin ended the game in a shootout.
Dante Bertolin started his sixth game of the season between the pipes for the Vipers. The Stars got the lead early in the first period at 4:01. After a back and forth period, the Vipers finally found the back of the net when captain Owen Findlay’s pass sent Julian Gignac on a breakaway. This was Gignac’s third goal of the season. 1-1 going into the first intermission. Shots on net were 11-6 in favour of St. Thomas.
The Vipers started off the second with a powerplay which resulted in a goal from Zach Vaillancourt, his third of the season. Assists being credited to Alec Stewart and Brody Jones. This is Alec Stewarts first game back with the Vipers after playing one game for the Windsor Spitfires in the preseason. Shortly after, Jak Thiessen scored his third of the season at 7:52. The last goal of the period came from Kieran McNally. This was McNally’s first GOJHL goal. The Vipers not only scored three goals this period, but they also exploded with 21 shots on net.
At the end of the second, Nick Graniero was handed a penalty resulting in the Stars opening the third period with a goal at 1:14. Not long after the Stars scored another goal, making the score 4-3. Nick Graniero was given another penalty making it 5 on 4, at the same time, the Stars pulled their goalie making it a 6 on 4. After 28 seconds of 6 on 4, Connor Chartrand was called for tripping. At 19:20, the 6 on 3 ended as the Stars scored their fourth goal. 4-4 end of regulation.
One penalty was handed out in overtime to the Stars but the Vipers powerplay couldn’t get one in the net. Neither team was successful sending the overtime in a shootout.
Vipers picked Brendan Gouin, Jak Theissen and Jaksen Ward as their three skaters. Brendan Gouin was the only player on both teams to score resulting in a Vipers win. Final shots on net were 47-31 Vipers. Final score 5-4.
Our next home game is Wednesday October 2 vs Caledonia at the Vollmer R. C.
Our next away game is Sunday October 6 in Pelham. Puck drop is at 2:45
