The Vipers took on powerhouse Syracuse Nationals on Saturday in an afternoon affair that was kicked off by a fabulous rendition of our Nations Anthem as the Middlesex Drum and Bugle Corps brought the house down with the Anthem performed all on flutes. Nick Fiorentino got the start between the pipes and played well as he left the game with the home team trailing 2-0 late in the second. Noach Maercklein looked like he had cut the lead in half but his goal was called off. The Nationals would strike again in the third with about 8 minutes left to go up 3-0, that's the way this one looked like it was going to end but the visitors tacked on 3 goals in the last 2:30 to coast to the 6-0 win. The Vipers played inspired hockey for 43 of the 45 minutes but left their guard down just a bit at the end and a very strong Syracuse team capitalized