Using a relentless fore-check, air-tight team defense and timely scoring along with solid goaltending the 98 Vipers upset one of the favorites and national powerhouses Mid Fairfield Blues 6-3 in their first game of the East Coast Prep Cup. The Vipers would put together one of their finest outings to take this one. After applying heavy pressure early going the Blues would take advantage and score the games first goal to go up 1-0 early in the first half. The Vipers would then answer with the next 5 goals to put this one outof reach. Noah Maercklein (2-0-2) would finish a nice rush with a great wrister to the far side for the 1-0 lead. Patrick McCarthy (0-1-1) would begin the rush with a nice outlet to Noah. Braden Haley would benefit from some solid forechecking by Brendan White and JT Chamberlain as JT would be patient and find Beasley alone in the slot for the go ahead goal. Dante Maribito (1-2-3) with help from Kyle Hentosh (1-2-3) and Kyle Lynch (1-1-2) would stretch it to 3-1. Kyle Hentosh would net the eventual game winner as he took a clean face off win from Dante and execute the set face-off play to perfection as he cut to the slot and his slapper found the top corner. Noah Maercklein again would push the lead to 5-1 halfway through the second half. The talented and explosive Blues would claw back and get the next 2,one on a PP to cut the lead to 5-3 real late, but then Henny and Dante would send Lynchy in alone and he would seal the deal with a nice finish on the breakaway. Zach Laraime would be strong between the pipes when needed saving his best save set for a flurry of 4 saves, 2 of the Tim Thomas variety late in the second half. Aaron McDonnell would come in to relieve Zach after he suffered a lower body injury and he would hold down the fort as well. Defenseman Steven Tettoni, Christian Kukas, Aaron Dollin, Patrick McCarthy, Ryan COnnearney and DOm Cappadona played an extremely strong and physical game limiting turnovers and creating good transition.