This past weekend, the Lasalle Vipers participated in the 2024 GOJHL Showcase. During the 3-day event, the Vipers played on Saturday December 7th and Sunday December 8th. Despite both their opponents also being high in the league standings, the Vipers did not accept defeat, leaving Caledonia with a perfect 2-0 record.
On Saturday, the Vipers faced the Fort Erie Meteors
Max Brocklehurst put the Vipers on the board just 50 seconds into the first. However, Fort Erie responded quickly at 5:54. Connor Chartrand later gave the Vipers at 2-1 lead. Lots of penalties were handed out in the opening frame as each team was sent to the box 3 times.
The first mark of the second came at 7:00 when the Meteors tied it up again. The Vipers penalty kill went to work when Adriano Tonin and Michale Lavigne both got penalties at 7:52 and 8:17. Alec Stewart came through with the go-ahead goal at 14:29.
The penalties did not stop in the second as we saw 5 more penalties in the third period. While Joe Gingras was serving his penalty, Fort Erie capitalized, tying the game 3-3. Sending this one into overtime.
2:49 into the extra frame, Fort Erie received a 10-minute misconduct. The Vipers took full advantage as Alec Stewart went on to score his second of the game at 3:04. Securing the 4-3 OT win for Lasalle.
On Sunday the Vipers played the St. Catharine Falcons. The top team in the GOJHL.
The Falcons came out strong, scoring three goals in the opening period. One was ruled a powerplay following a tripping penalty to Jak Thiessen. Brendan Gouin scored the Vipers first of the contest late in the first at 15:37
St. Catharines extended their lead early in the second at 1:51. Despite the score now being 4-1, the Vipers did not give up. Brody Jones sparked the comeback with a shorthanded goal at 13:47, while Julian Gignac followed up with another one at 16:33.
The Vipers continued to fight heading into the last 20 of regulation. Brendan Gouin scored his second of the game on the powerplay at 8:05 to tie it up. The Falcons regained the lead at 11:10 but again the Vipers refused to back down. With just 18 seconds left on the clock, Julian Gignac scored his second of the game, forcing overtime.
The fate of this matchup couldn’t be decided in overtime therefore we headed to a shootout. After unsuccessful attempts by Brendan Gouin, Julian Gignac, Adriano Tonin and Matteo Vilardi, the Vipers turned to Brody Jones. Jones delivered, scoring a stunning goal to seal the 6-5 shootout win and sending the Vipers back to Lasalle with a perfect 2-0 at this year’s showcase
The Vipers are back in action on Wednesday, December 11th when they take on the Stratford Warriors once again at the Vollmer Culture R.C.
We will be having a toy drive that night in honor of Maiysn Spencer and Little Hands Kids for a Cause. Please bring new, unwrapped toy to the game
