98 VJW Elite scored with 2:20 minutes left in the game to salvage a tie with the 98 Vipers in a very entertaining game in Haverhill. In a game that saw the Vipers give back the lead 3 times to the Warriors the Vipers walked away with a disappointing tie to the first place VJW Elites. After falling behind 1-0 in the first, Dante Maribito (1-1-2) was able to redirect a beautiful shot from Ryan Connearney (0-2-2) to tie the score at 1. Just 40 seconds later the Vipers went ahead 2-1 on a beautiful goal from Kyle Hentosh (1-0-1) as he finished off a great rush started by Kyle Lynch (1-1-1) who sent Maribito away who then fed Hentosh on a beautiful 2 on 1. The Warriors then answered just 30 seconds later with a backbreaking goal with just 13 seconds left in the period to tie the game at 2. The Vipers jumped out to a quick 3-2 lead early in the second period as Kyle Lynch tapped in the rebound off a beautiful offensive rush by defenseman Connearney. Again the Warriors would score a very late goal with 59 seconds left to tie the score at 3. The third period was tense and exciting as each team exchanged chances, Noah Maercklein was denied on a breakaway with about 12 minutes left to preserve the tie and the Vipers Aaron McDonnell answered with his own breakaway save with 9 minutes left to keep things at 3-3. With 2:49 left Brendan White made a terrific play behind the net and slid an incredible pass to Noah Maercklein in the slot who fired a wrist shot over the goalies glove to give the Vipes the 4-3 lead. Unfortunately just 29 seconds later the Warriors raced in on a 2-1 and deposited the game tying goal with just 2:20 left. The same two teams square off tomorrow in Haverhill.