The LaSalle Vipers dropped a 4-1 decision to the St. Marys Lincolns in Game 7 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals on Sunday afternoon in LaSalle.
With LaSalle leading 1-0 on a first-period goal by Lee Knight, the turning point came in the second period when Lincolns defenseman Ethan Coups point-shot was deflected out front by Kyle Morey and hit the back of the net as time expired. The goal tied the game in shocking fashion and the Lincolns rode that momentum swing to the first shift of the third period with Spencer Hazell scoring what turned out to be the game-winner. St. Marys shut things down the rest of the period, only allowing five shots on net and scoring twice into an empty-net to skate away with the victory and claim the hard-fought series 4 games to 3.
It was a courageous effort all series from a depleted Vipers team who were missing a bulk of their firepower up front due to injuries suffered at the tail end of the regular-season. The young, shorthanded group battled tooth and nail with the most veteran team in the Western Conference and overcame great adversity and long odds to push them to the very end.
Thanks to the great Vipers fans for the season-long support. We’ll be back!
