The LaSale Vipers split their two games this past week, losing at home to the Chatham Maroons and then rebounding to defeat the St. Thomas Stars.
On Wednesday night in LaSalle, the home side looked a tad flat and could never really get the offense going in a 5-1 loss to the visiting Maroons. Leading 2-1 heading into the third period, Chatham’s special teams broke it open by scoring on a power-play 14 seconds in and then shorthanded at the 5:53 mark. They would add an empty-netter to result in the 5-1 Final. Adriano Tonin’s fourth goal of the season was the lone Vipers tally in the game.
Looking to turn the page on the bad home ice loss, the Vipers were able to do exactly that on Friday night in St. Thomas. Second period goals by Drew Booker and Cole Davis put the Vipers up by two heading into the third and Brady Hamlin and Wylie Birkett tacked on two more goals in the final frame, and this time it was LaSalle who skated away with the 5-1 victory. Cole Davis and Brady Hamlin each had three points in the game and extended their team-scoring lead, with each having 14 points on the season. The pair have enjoyed a hot start to their rookie seasons and find themselves leading the entire GOJHL in rookie scoring.
The Vipers will carry their 5-3 record into another two-game week that will see them face off against the St. Marys Lincolns in a home-and-home set beginning on Wednesday night in LaSalle. The two teams will then meet again on Friday night in St. Marys.