The Vipers returned back to Hudson, NH less than 24 hours later to take on the Cyclones in the regular season finale. The Vipers were victim of “road legs” and were quickly down 2-0. The Vipers found some rhythm in the second period with Conor Crovo getting the Vipers on the board. The team went on to score 5 unanswered goals pulling away. Michael Gillis added two goals with Iannuzzi, Tibbets and Scaromozzino added scores. All five defenseman were very effective in the second and third period to secure the win.
The 98's finished the NEHL Regular Season by beating the well coached Worcester Crusaders at home by the score of 7-0. The Vipers finished a solid 24-2-2 earning 50 out of a possible 56 points within the league, a great accomplishment for the team. The Vipers jumped out to a 3-0 first period lead against the scrappy Crusaders on a goal by Evan Daddario (2-1-3) as he raced down the right wall and fired a shot that beat the Worcester goalie 5-hole, Steven Tettoni and Noah Maercklein (1-2-3) would pick up the assists. Dom Cappadonna would then score on a screen shot from the point with Patcrick McCarthy and Kyle Hentosh (0-3-3) adding the helpers and with just 40 seconds left in the first JT Chamberlain (2-0-2) would stretch the lead to 3. Noah Maercklein would get the only goal in the second period on the Power play as his shot from the point found the back of the net, Lynchy and Henny picked up the helpers. Lynchy from Henny, Evan and JT's second of the game would round out the scoring in this one. Christian Kukas, Braden Haley, Ross Wahl and Brendan White would all add single helpers. Aaron McDonnell would pick up the shutout going the distance between the pipes. The 98s will look to defend their EHF Invitational Championship next weekend when they travel to Marlboro.
In the first game of a weekend series, the Vipers came storming out and built a three – zero lead with goals by Tyler Hughey, Sal Costanzo and PJ Iannuzzi. The Cyclones fought back during the middle stanza to make this game much closer than the score showed. Costanzo chipped in two more for a hat trick while Michael Gillis, Rob Tibbets and Greg McGunigle also scored.
The 98 Elites opened up a 3-0 lead after one period and were able to hold on against the team that nobody wants to play in the post season Red Rangers by a score of 4-1. The Vipers came out of of the gates with plenty of intensity as Kyle Lynch would get them on the board with a very nice unassisted individual effort as he went end to end utilizing his speed to breaking alone and bury a wrister to the stick side for the 1-0 lead. Kyle Hentosh would get the next one on the power play as he would be in front to re-direct a shot from Noah Maercklein, Lynchy would also pick up an assist on the play as the Vipers had some pretty nice puck movement on the PP. Kyle Lynch would strike again as he easily banged home a rebound off Dom Cappadona's one timer from the point, Brendan White picked up an assist on the play as well. Ross Wahl would extend the lead to 4-0 as he took a sweet dish from Noah Maercklein from behind the net, made a quick move to his left and slid the puck into the open net, Evan Daddario also picked up an assist. Zach Laramie would go the distance in the nets loosing out on the shutout late in the third on a pretty Red Ranger goal. The Vipers close out there NEHL Regular season on Sunday at home against the Worcester Crusaders.
In the second game of the weekend series, the Vipers clawed back after being down 4-1. The Vipers stormed back with 6 unanswered goals to secure a 7-4 victory. Michael Gillis had a hat trick to kick start the comeback.
The Vipers faced off against the Boch Blazers in the first game of a home and home series. After a slow start, the Vipers poured it on racking up a 9 of total goals. The Vipers were lead by Michael Gillis and Sal Costanzo who had two goals each. Also tallying for the Vipers were Greg McGunigle, Conor Crovo, Rob Tibbets, Sam Cioffi and Kasey O’Brien.
The 98s kept things rolling with another solid outing as they skated past the well coached New Hampshire Jr Monarchs 7-1 at the Cronin Rink in Revere. The Green Line of Kyle Lynch (1-4-5) Kyle Hentosh (3-1-4) and Dante Maribito(2-2-4) paced the offense for the home team, as they connected on a couple of pretty goals and moved the puck well all night while also committing to all 3 zones as well. Braden Haley from Brendan White picked up the other tally. Zach Laramie and Aaron McDonnell split the game and the game was highlighted by a terrific glove save by McDonnell in the third. The Vipers continue to play solid team defense in front of their goalies as Steven Tettoni, Alex Delvento, Patrick McCarthy, Aaron Dollin, Ryan Connearney, Dom Cappadonna and Christian Kukas all had solid efforts from the blue line. The 98s take next weekend off from NEHL play and travel to Loomis Chaffe Prep School in CT for the Loomis Chaffe Prep Showcase where they will take on the likes of the Syracuse Nationals and Buffalo Regals as well as old rival the New England Jr Falcons.