It was a night of firsts as the LaSalle Vipers opened the 2021-22 GOJHL regular-season with a 4-1 victory over the Strathroy Rockets on Saturday night in Strathroy.
After falling behind mid-way through the first period, the Vipers seized control of the contest by scoring twice in the second and then adding two more in the third to skate away with a season-opening road win.
First-year defenseman Shaun Horne drew the visitors level at 10:05 of the middle frame and then Stephane Crevier converted a nifty two-on-one with Noah Morneau five minutes later for what stood to be the game-winning goal. In the third period, two more rookies, Darby Drouillard and Brody Gillis found the back of the net to put things away. The markers by Horne, Drouillard and Gillis were all their first junior goals.
Horne collected a goal and two assists, while Crevier was the other Viper who had himself a multi-point night. Goaltender Matthew Tovell was solid between the pipes, making 21 stops to record his first win as a LaSalle Viper.
The Vipers next hit the ice on Wednesday night when they welcome the Strathroy Rockets for a return match at the Vollmer Complex. Game time is 7:00 PM.
