The Vipers continued to play some fine hockey in pushing their win streak to 20 games while in the process of winning all 5 games of the Loomis Chaffee Prep Cup, a very impressive accomplishment finishing the tournament with 2 shutouts.
Vipers 5 Syracuse Nationals 3
The Vipers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in this one while trying to get untracked against a very strong Syracuse team. Kyle Lynch (2-1-3) and Evan Daddario (2-0-2) would pace the attack in this one and Kyle Hentosh (1-1-2) would score the Vipers first goal. Dante Maribito (0-2-2), Ross Wahl and Christian Kukas would all add helpers. Zach Laramie would take center stage in this one though as he stood tall between the pipes and played a very solid game including a strong third period as Syracuse was applying heavy pressure. Lynchy's shortie just 30 seconds into the 2nd half to push the lead to 4-2 proved to be the biggest goal. The penalty killing units did a god job in this one as well as they shut down a very dangerous Nationals power play.
Vipers 5 Buffalo Regals 4
The Vipes came out in this one and played a very sloppy and un-inspired game in this one but did enough to get the victory 5-4 in this one as Noach Maercklein(1-1-2) would bang home the game winner with 34 seconds left. Dante Maribito (2-1-3) would lead the offensive charge. Alex Delvento would score a pretty goal off a pass from Kyle Hentosh (0-3-3) collect it at the point and let a wrist shot go that would find its way up under the bar that would put the Vipers up 4-3. The Regals would tie the score with just under 5 minutes left in the game. Noah Maercklein would be the hero in this as the Vipers would end up on the power play for the last minute of the game and they would cash in as Noah Maercklein would bang home a loose puck with just 34 seconds left in the game, Maribito and Hentosh picked up the helpers after some nice puck movement. Steven Tetoni and JT Chamberlain would also pick up assists in this one. Patrick McCarthy and Christian Kukas were also strong on the blue line and Aaron McDonnell went the distance and played well in the cage.
Vipers 8 CT Wolfpack 3
The 98s would make the Wolfpack pay for their undisciplined questionable play at times and cash in on 4 power play goals as they would go on to rout the Wolfpack 8-3. The Vipers would be in control of this one after jumping out to a 4-0 lead after the 1st half, the big blow coming off the stick of Dante Maribito (1-3-4) with just 22 seconds left in the 1st half. Kyle Lynch would continue his strong play as he chipped in with the Hat Trick (3-1-4) and Kyle Hentosh(1-3-4) would add a shorthanded goal. Evan Daddario (2-1-3) and Noah Maercklein (0-2-2) would also have multiple point games. Brendan White would chip in with what would be the game winner and JT Chamberlain, Christian Kukas and Ross Wahl would all add single helpers. Steven Tettoni, Alex Delvento and Patrick McCarthy all had solid games from the blueline. Zach Laramie continued the Vipers trend of strong goaltending play in this one as well. The Vipers would do a great job at staying composed and disciplined in this one down the stretch as frustration would set in late.
Vipers 1 VT Glades 0
Aaron McDonnell would pitch a shutout in this one which also doubled as a NEHL league game for both the Glades and Vipers as the Vipers would clinch 1st place in the NEHL 98 American Division with the 1-0 win. Aaron made many fine stops in this one and played big in the 3rd period especially when the Glades would pull their goalie. The game winning goal would come off the stick of Kyle Hentosh while on the power play as he jumped on a rebound from a Noah Maercklein shot and one timed a shot from the slot 5 hole. Defenseman Ryan Connearney, Dom Cappadona, Christian Kukas, Steven Tettoni, Patrick McCarthy, Aaron Dollin and Alex Delvento were instrumental in this one doing a fine job of clearing pucks and limiting scoring chances.
Vipers 4 New England Falcons 0
In the final game of the showcase the Vipers would win this one going away scoring 4 goals in the 2nd half while using a heavy forecheck, excellent special teams play, solid goaltending and air tight team defense in putting up the 4-0 shutout over the New England Falcons. Both teams would play a pretty good 1st half each having their chances and doing their best at slowing each other down. Kyle Lynch would put the Vipers up 1-0 as he would fire a wrister from the left circle past the glove side. Noah Maercklein(1-1-2) was up next as he fired an absolute laser from the top of the slot up under the bar for the 2-0 lead. The play was set up by some tenascious forechecking and then some nice cycling by Evan Daddario (0-2-2) and Ross Wahl as Ross made a sweet dish to Noah high in the slot. Just 2 minutes later JT Chamberlain would add a power play goal and put this one out of reach as he would knock in a loose puck out front for the 3-0 lead with 8 minutes left. Maercklein and Daddario picking up the helpers. Dante Maribito would add an empty netter with 40 seconds left to finish this one up. Zach Laramie finished up the weekend with another very strong performance making many fine stops in this one as he continues his fine play. Patrick McCarthy who has been playing well of late was very strong on the blue line making many good decisions, reads and steps. The Vipers players and coaches should be very proud of their accomplishments this weekend playing some great hockey, going 5-0 and clinching 1st place in their league as well