In an excellent hockey game in Exeter the Spartans were able to tie the 98 Vipers 5-5 with a late goal in the third in a game that contained plenty of high intensity and end to end action. The Vipers used 5 different goal scorers in this one and scored the tying and go ahead goal just 9 seconds apart in the third after trailing 4-3 to begin the third. Aaron Dollin and Christian Kukas both scored from the point as well in this one, as Kyle Lynch (1-1-2) fed a nice pass out to Kukas for his goal. Braden Haley tied the game at 4 as he benefited from a sweet give by Brendan White from behind the net and Haley deposited it high into the net as the Rinks erupted with the tying goal, and just 9 seconds later after taking a feed from Dante Maribito on the half wall Lynchie walked in and roofed one under the bar to take the lead. Evan Daddario finished off a nice rebound to put the visitors up 2-1 going into the second period with JT Chamberlain picking up an assist. Alex Dlevento also picked up an assist giving him 4 points for the weekend. The story of the game had to be the excellent goaltending effort turned in by Nick Fiorentino all morning as he made many fine stops, his biggest on a breakaway with the score tied at 5 and just 45 seconds left in the game. Ryan Connearney, Steven Tettoni and Patrick McCarthy played solid on the blue line.

The Vipers used 3 goals in 2 minutes to open the third period to cruise past the Assabet Valley Patriots Saturday to a big win. The Green line of Dante Maribito (4-1-5), Kyle Hentosh (0-4-4) and Kyle Lynch (1-3-4) paced the attack as the Vipers are starting to regain a balanced scoring attack. Alex Delvento also chipped in with 2 goals (2-1-3) as he moved up to forward in this one. Brendan White also chipped in with 3 helpers. Evan Daddario and Ross Wahl (1-1-2) were the other goal scorers and Noah Maercklein (0-2-2), Steven Tettoni and JT Chamberlain all added assists. The Vipers got 2 goals on the power play and Maribito scored on a shorty breakaway. Nick Fiorentino and Aaron McDonnell split the time between the pipes and combined for the shutout win. Patrcik McCarthy, Steven Tettoni and Ryan Connearney chipped in with solid efforts on the blueline

The Vipers used scoring from all 3 lines for the second day in a row to skate past the Wizards at home on Sunday. Kyle Hentosh (2-3-5) and Dante Maribito (2-2-4) would pace the winners in this one and Noah Maercklein would chip in with 3 assists. Braden Haley (1-1-2), Brendan White (1-1-2), Evan Daddario and Kyle Lynch (1-1-2) would all add goals and JT Chamberlain would add a helper. Aaron McDonnell would chip in with a fine breakaway save to start the second period and the Vipers up only 3-1. Christian Kukas, Ryan Connearney and Steven Tettoni would add solid outings from the back end and Nick Fiorientino would finish up between the pipes.

 

The 98 Vipers laced them up for the first time since returning from Ottawa and after shaking off a slow start went on to beat the scrappy Red Rangers 5-0. Nick Friorentino and Aaron McDonnell combined for the shutout and the Vipers used 5 different goal scorers and showed a balanced scoring attack for the first time in weeks. Kyle Lynch (1-2-3) scored the only goal of the first period, but then would score 3 in a 2:30 minute span of the second to put this one out of reach. Ross Wahl (1-1-2) would score on the Power Play after some nice forechecking and puck possession by his line, Evan Daddario would pick up the assist. Exactly one minute later Kyle Hentosh would find Steven Tettoni at the point who fired a laser through traffic, and then 30 seconds after that Brendan White (1-1-2) would finish off a fine play from Lynchy and Braden Haley to put the home team up 4-0 after 2. Noah Maercklein from a nifty pass from behind the net from Whitey would round out the scoring in this one. Ryan Connearney continues to play well from the blueline for the 98s.

 

The 98s spent part of their vacation up north participating in the Bell Capital Cup in Ottawa, although plagued by inconsistent play the Vipers finished the tourney with a 1-2-1 record but returned with plenty of good memories and a very good time had by all the players and families.

 

Vipers 3 Upper Ottawa Valley Aces 3

 

In a game the Vipers should have won they had to battle from behind to earn the tie n this one after giving up 3 first period goals. The Vipers 3 goals came from Kyle Lynch who was clearly the best player on the ice for both teams. His second coming with just 3 seconds left in the second period to pull the Vipers within one. His third was the best goal that was scored all year by a Viper, as he split two defenders was slashed down to his knees and while sliding on his knees managed to  shoot to the far side up under the bar for the tie. The Vipers controlled the final period but could not take the lead. Kyle Hentosh, Dante Maribito and Brendan White picked up lone assists. Kyle Lynch was named the game MVP and Brendan White received the Hardest Worker Award.

 

Vipers 6 Bedford Blues 0

 

The Vipers got exceptional goaltending from Nick Fiorientino early on which helped the Vipers to the 6-0 shutout win over the Blues from Nova Scotia. Among other many fine saves Nick would come up huge on a penalty shot save when the score was 0-0. Kyle Hentosh (1-4-5) and Dante Maribito (2-3-5) would score 8 seconds apart in the first period to give them a 2-0 lead after 1. Kyle Lynch (2-1-3) was the other multi-point scorer in this one and Evan Daddario would round out the scoring. Taking nothing away from Kyle Lynch who was named the MVP for thsi game the award could have easily gone to Nick Fiorientino. Dante Maribito picked up the Hardest Worker Award in this one

 

Vipers 2 Quiente Red Devils 7

 

The Vipers did not show up ready to play in this one giving up a goal just 17 seconds into the game and 2 more in the first before Maribito from Hentosh would cut it to 3-1. Winning the last 4 shifts of the second period gave the Vipers some life heading into the second period but again the eventual semi-finalist Devils would score just 12 seconds into the second and the Vipers could never recover after that. Dante Maribito would score his second of the game off a nice re-direct from a shot by Ryan Connearney, who would have himself a fine weekend, Kyle Hentosh would pick up the other assist. Ryan Connearney would go on to earn Game MVP honors while Ross Wahl would pick up the Hardest Worker Award.

 

Vipers 2 Ottawa Valley Silver Seven 3

 

Playing their best game of the weekend and outshooting the Silver Seven 31-11 the Vipers could not find the back of the net against the very strong 7 goaler. The Silver Seven would score with just under 6 minutes left to win this one 3-2. Evan Daddario would get the Vipers on the board with assists from Steven Tettoni and Ross Wahl. The line of Daddario, Wahl and Braden Haley would put up a pretty good effort in this one. Dante Maribito would score the lone goal in the second period to tie the game at 2 with assists from Kyle Hentosh and JT Chamberlain. Kyle Hentosh was named the Game MVP in this one while Evan Daddario picked up the Hardest Worker Award

 

Kyle Lynch, Steven Tettoni and Aaron McDonnell all represented the Vipers in the All-Star Game while the entire team also competed in the skills challenge, with Evan Daddario coming in second place in the Accuracy Shooting Contest and Aaron McDonnell coming in second place for the goaltender shootout competition. Also Kyle Hentosh and Dante Maribito were tied with 2 other players for the overall point scoring lead for the entire tournament each having 9 points, while Hentosh was the tournament leader with 8 assists.