5 Seconds is all that stood in the way of an impressive 2 game sweep by the Vipers but an Albany goal with just 5 seconds left salvaged a 4-4 tie for the Rats. Looking very fatigued and worn out the Vipers would make their share of mistakes but with 2:37 left on the clock Kyle Lynch would streak down the right wing, cut to the net and put one up under the bar to give the Vipers the 4-3 lead. Nick Fiorintino would stand tall in the cage for the Vipers as they tried to hang on. The Rats had just one last rush with their goalie pulled and they caught the Vipers backing in just a little to much as they would fire home the equalizer from the top of the slot to send the home fans away happy. Greg McHale would notch his first Viper goal in the first off a deflection to put the Vipes up 1-0, Kyle Lynch (2-0-2) would get his first of the game to put the visitors up 2-1 and JT Chamberlain would knock in a rebound to go up 3-1. The Vipers would head back down the Pike after taking 3 out of 4 points from the defending champions on their home ice, a very impressive feat considering they played very short for both games

The Vipers traveled to Albany to take on the defending league champs the Albany River Rats, and although Albany would jump out to a quick 1-0 lead 2 minutes into the game the Vipers would end up with the 7-3 win thanks to 4 goals from Kyle Hentosh and 3 goals from Kyle Lynch and some strong goaltending from Aaron McDonnell. The Vipers would make the trip minus 2 players from sickness and would loose defenseman Patrick McCarthy to a broken wrist in the first period but would turn in a gritty performance in the win. Hentosh (4-2-6) and Lynch (3-0-3) would both turn in impressive efforts. Dante Maribito(0-2-2) would help out on the green line, Matty Tauro would add an assist on Hentosh's fourth goal as he dove for a block at his own blue line that would spring the forward. Greg McHale would also add a helper as Hentosh would tip in one of his shots from the point. It was a big league win that would push the Vipers over the .500 mark

The Vipers went on the road to take on the East Coast Wizards and tried to avenge a 4-4 tie a few weeks back. The visiting team was able to pull away midway through the game and go on to a 6-3 win. Nick Firoentino and Aaron McDonnell shared the goaltending duties as the Vipers chipped in with 1 shortie and 1 power play goal. Kyle Hentosh (0-1-1) would pick off a pass at the Wizards blue line go to the net and slide a nice pass to Dante Maribito (2-1-3) for the shorthanded goal and a 4-2 lead, Kyle Lynch (1-0-1) would connect on the power play from Maribito and Aaron Dollin (0-1-1) to extend the lead to 5-2 before Noah Maercklein (2-0-2) would finish out the scoring with a helper from JT Chamberlain (0-1-1). Brendan White put the Vipers up 2-0 early in the game as well.

The Vipers showed why you need to play every second of every period as they used a goal with 1.2 seconds left in the first and a goal with 40 seconds left in the game to upend the home team Assabet Valley Patriots. The first period ended 0-0 as both teams had their chances in this very well played game by both teams. After a solid shift by the red line would produce an icing by AVP and an offensive zone face the Green line took full advantage as off a set play  Dante Maribito would win the draw and Kyle Lynch would do the rest as he slid it 5-hole for the 1-0 lead after 2. It would stay 1-0 until the 4 minute mark when AVP would cash in on the power play to knot it at 1. That's the way this one looked like it was going to end but with just 40 seconds left Ryan Connearney made a nice breakout pass to Kyle Hentosh up the left wing boards, Maribito trailed the play and took a nice drop pass from Hentosh, came off the wall and let a wicked slapper go from the top of the circle that hit up under the bar and in for the winner. Ryan Connearney and Christian Kukas played well defensively and goalie Aaron McDonnell stood tall between the pipes down the stretch. The win pulled the Vipers to .500 at 4-4-1 in the league after their 3^rd straight league win

The Vipers were up against the Crusaders in league action on Saturday for the first time and ended up on the right side of a 7-2 decision, against a nice scrappy Worcester team. The Vipers used  scoring from all 3 lines, solid defense and fine play between the pipes to grab the win. Ryan Connearney enjoyed a fine game on the blue line in front of goalie Nick Fiorentino who was rock solid in net making some fine stops but more importantly not giving up any second shots. The Green line of Dante Maribito (1-2-3), Kyle Hentosh (1-2-3) and Kyle Lynch (2-2-4) led the charge while the White line of JT Chamberlain (1-1-2) Noah Maercklein (1-0-1) and Brendan White (0-2-2) contributed as well. The Red line of Chris Goggin (0-1-1) Alex DelVento (1-0-1) and Robbie Murphy (0-1-1) continued their stretch of fine play. The Vipers played inspired hockey the whole day forcing the visitors into 10 penalties which would result in 4 Power Plays. The home team would also get a shortie from Dante Maribito to kick off the scoring.

For the second week in a row the Vipers took on the iron and came up just a bit short in this one as they fell 3-2 in NEHL action. Trailing 2-0 the Vipers would cut it in half on a great goal from Kyle Lynch who was set up with a nifty neutral zone pass from Kyle Hentosh. The Falcons would then deal the Vipers a crushing blow as they went up 3-1 while killing off a penalty with just 2 minutes to go in the second. The Vipers would win the third period and very nearly tie the game up late but couldn't bang one home. Brendan White with an assist from JT Chamberlain made it 3-2 late in the third. The Vipers would go on to play very good in the third and with just 2 minutes left would draw a Falcon penalty with some strong fore-checking. The Vipers would apply heavy pressure over the final 2 minutes off the game doing everything but putting the puck in the net. The best chance coming with the goalie pulled as Kyle Hentosh slid a back door pass to Kyle Lynch who thought he had the goalie down and out with an open net but the Falcon goalie made an incredible desperation save to preserve the win. Aaron McDonnell was once again strong between the pipes making many game changing saves, Patrick McCarthy chipped in with some physical play and Greg McHale played fine defensively as well.

The 98's put together 3 strong periods in route to a 4-0 win over a strong Spartan team. The Green line of Kyle Lynch (1-2-3), Kyle Hentosh(2-1-3) and Dante Maribito (1-2-3) would provide all the offense in this one while getting strong play on the blueline from Patrick McCarthy and Greg McHale, while Aaron McDonnell was solid between the pipes. Kyle Hentosh  would put the home team up 1-0 just 55 seconds into the second as he banged in a loose puck, Lynchy and Dante picked up the helpers, Hentosh would have lady luck on his side as he found the back of the net again while throwing the puck to the cage from a bad angle, Maribito credited with an assist. Lynchy would start the 3rd off with his first goal of the game with Christian Kukas picking up the assist. And the play of the day would come on the fourth and final goal as Kyle Hentosh gloved a puck down while going behind the net, put the brakes on, came out the other way and slid a perfect pass onto the stick of Maribito to finish the game, Lynch also picking up an assist on the play.

The Vipers got back to League action on Sunday against a very strong and talented Falcon team. The Falcons were able to score 3 third period goals against the Vipers to pull away and put what was a close game for most of it away. Dante Maribitos goal on a nice individual effort cut the Falcon lead to 2-1 with a helper from Greg McHale and that is how the second period would end. The Falcons would wear down the Vipers in the third and put this one away and go on to the 5-2 win. Robbie Murphy picked up an unassisted goal in the final frame. Aaron McDonnell chipped in with a strong game between the pipes

The 98's decided to play for about 6 of the 45 minutes against the pesky wizards on Saturday fortunately those 6 minutes were enough to somehow dig out of a 4-0 hole and salvage a tie. Playing uninspired lazy hockey for much of the game the visitors were able to score 3 goals in the last 7 minutes of the game. JT Chamberlain led the charge with 2 goals, his second coming with 4 minutes left for the tie. Kyle Lynch with a nice back hand roof job and Kyle Hentosh on a pretty breakaway deke were the other goal scorers. Dante Maribito, Matty Tauro, Noah Maercklein and Brendan White all added single helpers.

This past weekend the 98Vipers dawned Yellow Laces in their game against the Dual State Huskies.  The Yellow Laces were worn to show their support for Caleb Amidon.   The  Vipers organization's thoughts and prayers go out to this little boy & his family! 

Caleb Amidon, a seven year old fun loving boy from Pepperell, MA and a Nashua hockey player on the Pro Ambition Mite Major team has been very seriously injured this past week. He remains in the ICU at Children's Hospital in Boston

We are asking you to pray very hard for Caleb and his family. Ask your friends, neighbors, coworkers or place of worship, to include Caleb in thoughts and prayers.  Every time you step into a hockey rink say a prayer for Caleb and his family.  There is nothing like the power of prayer.

I know that all of you are concerned about Caleb's condition so this blog will allow you to view his status. Caleb's mother Rachel has been updating this.
Caleb's Blog
  The Nashua Panther Organization has set up a special fund for the Amidon family. Caleb's hockey team has already raised over $1000.00 dollars.

If you or anyone you know wishes to contribute to this cause you can make checks payable to:

"Nashua Panther Caleb Amidon Fund" 
PO Box 911,
Nashua NH 03061 

Let's all get behind this cause and demonstrate, as an organization,  as a community, as people, what we are capable of. The Amidon family will be made aware of your generosity.