The 98 Vipers went up to the North American Winter Championships in Marlboro on Friday night to take on the powerful Mercer Chiefs of New Jersey.  It took the Vipers  some time to dust of the Christmas cheer, but it was to little to late for the Vipers as they dropped a 5-3 decision to the Chiefs. The Vipers found themselves on the wrong side of a 3-0 score before they would get anything going.Just 10 seconds into the third period Kyle Lynch would chip the puck down low to Dante Maribito who would then feed Kyle Hentosh high in the slot and he would fire a one-timer through the 5-hole to get the Vipes on the board, The same line would hook up again as Hentosh (2-0-2) would bang home a rebound under the goalies glove to make it a 4-2 game and the momentum had swung, Maribito(0-2-2) and Lynch(0-2-2) would again pick up the helpers. Just under a minute later Chris Goggin would finish off a nice rush by JT Chamberlain by stuffing in the rebound to make it a 1 goal game with just under 4 minutes to play, thats as close as they would get though as the Chiefs would add an empty netter with 10 seconds left to seal the game. The Vipers will take on the Boston Jr Terriers in Game 2 Saturday morning

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98 Vipers Skate Past 98 PHD   The 98 Vipers had an offensive explosion in route to a big win over PHD on Saturday morning. The Line of Noah Maercklein (4-1-5), Rob Murphy (1-5-6) and Brendan White (0-5-5) combined for 16 points in the game. The other two lines also hit the sheet as the Vipers were in control from start to finish in this one Kyle Lynch, Dante Maribito and Kyle Hentosh all posted 1-2-3 and Chirs Goggin (2-0-2), Jt Chamberlain (0-1-1) and Heath King (1-2-3) also contributed, the highlight of the day though belonged to Jack Moretti (1-1-2) as he notched his first career Viper goal in the third period. Aaron McDonnell and Andrew Krajeski held the fort between the pipes   The Vipers now gear up for a grueling Christmas Tournament where they will kick things off on Friday against the powerful Mercer Chiefs of New Jersey.

It was one shift that separated JT Chamberlain from the rest of the deserving 98's over the weekend, as JT blocked 2 shots in one shift after completing a very nice backcheck. JT blocked a shot from the faceoff circle then raced back up to the blue line to block another from the point, he also scored the only goal of the game on a nice rush. Patrick McCarthy also was considered for the prestigious award, as on Saturday the entire team was given consideration as the entire roster did their part.

In the second of a two game series the 98 VJW Elites edged the 98 Vipers on Sunday by using a 3 goal second period to put the Vipes away. The Warriors would score 2 goals in 10 seconds 2 minutes into the second period to put the Vipers back on their heels, they would add a third to make it 3-0 before the Vipers would get on the board with a nifty rush and finish by JT Chamberlain, Aaron Dollin got the assist as he sprung Chamberlain out of the zone and down the left wing wall. This was another excellent game between the two teams as the first period was played even with a 0-0 score after 1 and the third period was played even, except for a meaningless empty netter with 26 seconds left. The Vipers could never recover from the 3 goal second period, even while gaining some momentum in the third. Patrick McCarthy and Jack Moretti played well on the blueline for the Vipers

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.

This week's Green Helmet, which is given to the 98 player who best exemplifies the meaning of Team, goes to defenseman Aaron Dollin. There was one play that separated Aaron from the other qualified nominees this weekend, during the 98's 3-1 loss to the Falcons, a Falcon forward raced in on a breakaway, and Aaron could have easily pulled up and observed the play, but Aaron never gave up on the play and at the last minute knocked the puck off the forwards stick and he was never able to get a shot off. It was that play and his consistent effort all week that helped him wear the coveted green helmet out of the rink.The Green Helmet award is all about our players doing the little things that usually go unnoticed but go a long way to lead a team to victory. Brendan White and Patrick McCarthy were also nominated for this weeks award. It should be noted that the award is awarded based on an entire week of activities, from skills to practices to games and how the player carries himself in the room.

Mental mistakes plagued the 98 Vipers as they lost 3-1 to the high Flying Falcons. The Falcons pretty much had their way with the Vipers in this one, as they jumped out to a 1-0 first period lead and extended that to 3-0 before the Vipers were finally able to get on the board early in the third period. Kyle Hentosh set up to the side of the cage and slid a nifty pass to Kyle Lynch who wasted no time in banging it home, that was as close as the Vipers would come in this one as the Falcons controlled the last 5 minutes of the game. Aaron McDonnell and Andrew Krajeski did an outstanding job in the cage for the Vipers keeping the score close. It does not get any easier for the Vipers this weekend as they have 2 games with the first place Warrior Elites Saturday and Sunday

The 98's made the trek to Conneticut to take on the Mass Select Leagues Clippers, and they did so with a very short bench for the first time this year as they were down 3 players, they overcame the short bench and rolled to a 6-0 win. JT Chamberlain (2-1-3) got the visitors on the board first as he stole a puck in the neutral zone, broke free and lited one over the goalies glove hand for the 1-0 first period lead. Kyle Lynch would score just 40 seconds into the second frame to push the lead to 2-0, Kyle Hentosh (0-2-2) and Brendan White (2-1-3) would add the helpers. Whitey and Chamberlain would score the next 2 goals to extend the lead to 5-0, Jack Moretti (0-1-1), Christian Kukas (0-1-1) and Noah Maercklein (1-1-2) would add the assists and finally Maercklein would round out the scoring bouncing one in off the goalies glove. Patirck McCarthy and Aaron Dollin would chip in with solid efforts on the blueline while Andrew Krajeski and Aaron McDonnell would combine for the goose egg.

Goalie Aaron McDonnell took home the precious Hard Hat Player of the week Award for the 98 club this week as he turned in two solid efforts between the pipes this weekend. In Saturdays game with the Panthers Aaron played a large part in the Vipers earning a point in a 2-2 tie. On Sunday Aaron came in late in the second period and immediately stopped 2 Panther breakaways to keep the Vipers within striking distance. It was his gutsy play all weekend that got him the honors. Heath King, Brendan White and Kyle Hentosh were all considered as well.