Playing their second game of the day to eh Colonials first would really hamper the Vipers but they gave everything they had in a 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Colonials. The game would not start well for the Vipers as after off a set face off play Kyle Lynch would break in on a partial breakaway, it was stopped and Dante Maribito's rebound bid was also denied. JT Chamberlain would also get robbed on his first shift and the the Colonials would get luck as they through a puck to the net from behind the goaline and it somehow found the back of the net for the 1-0 lead. The Colonials would extend their lead a short time later on another unfortunate bounce as the puck would pop straight p in the air from behind the net and come down in the crease where it was banged home. Not being rattled by being down 2-0 early to the Champs the Vipers cut the lead in half as off a set face off play Kyle Hentosh (2 assists) would get a slapper off that was stopped but Dante Maribito would be in a good spot to pick up the rebound patiently hold onto the puck and then slide into into the open side. The same 2 players would hook up just 20 seconds later on a beautiful 2 on 1 as Henny would feed Dante at the last minute and he would bang the tying goal home. The Colonials would score a back breaker with just under 2 minutes left in the first half for the 3-2 lead after one. The Colonials turned it up a notch and would score 2 more unanswered goals as they just wore down the weary Vipers who were coming of a 7:50am game earlier in the morning. The Vipers battled all the way to the end and had a good showing in a solid tournament

 

The Vipers squared off against the 6th Seeded TPH Thunder in a 30 minute quarter final game with the winner being rewarded a date with the Defending 98 National Champion New Jersey Colonials. The Vipers would clamp down defensively, get solid goaltending and timely scoring in the win. Brendan White on an amazing short handed rush, beat the defender went in alone and lifted it over the goaltenders glove for the 1-0 lead and eventual game winner. Dante Maribito took his guy wide and put one to the net that found the twine for the 2-0 lead. Kyle Lynch would add the open net goal and seal the trip to the Semi-finals. Ross Wahl continues to play some fine hockey doing all the little things the right way.

 

The Vipers continued their fine play in the East Coast Prep and scored 3 second period goals to pull away from Top Gun for the 5-2 win and a trip to the playoffs. The Vipers would use 5 different goal scorers in their balanced attack and again get clutch goaltending and solid defense. Dante Maribito would get the Vipers on the board first as he took a nice from Kyle Hentosh (2 Assists). Brendan White would turn an incredible individual effort into a pretty short handed goal to put the Vipers back up by 1. A power play goal by Kyle Lynch was set up by a beautiful pass from Kyle Hentosh as he began to circle behind the net bringing the goalie to the other post but before he did he executed a sweet behind the back pass back out to Lynchy who had a wide open net to back hand it in. Top Gun would cut it to one on the PP but then JT Chamberlain would answer cashing on on a nice play from Braden Haley and Brendan White (1-1-2). Evan Daddario would round out the scoring with the goal of the night as he would undress a Top Gun defender and rifle a shot up under the bar. The win would give the Vipers a 3-0 record through round robin play and guarantee them a top 3 seed.

 

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.

 

The 98s continued their solid play in the highly scouted East Coast Prep Cup, and suffocated the Neponset Valley Rats with great team defense in a 3-0 win. Tenders Aaron McDonnel and Zach Laraimee werent tested often but when they were they were up to the challenge. The defenseman in front of them did a tremendous job at holding the blueline and denying any clean penetration into the zone. The forwards used a relentless forecheck coupled with some excellent neutral zone defense in really limiting chances for the Rats. Kyle Lynch (2 goals) would get the Vipers on the board as Kyle Hentosh (2 assists) dumped a pass down to Dante Maribito who carried behind the net and slid a nice pass to Lynchy who was camped out front and buried it 5 hole before the Rats goalie had any idea the puck was coming. The Vipers would then use the PP to go up 2-0 as Steven Tettoni would collect Kyle Hentosh's rebound at the right face-off dot and would unleash a one-timer laser up under the bar. Lynchy would dig for a loose puck and eventually knock in the third goal. The Vipers would kill a 5 on 3 penalty for nearly 4 minutes late in the third, with Lynchy, Henny,Maercklein, Whitey, Dante, JT, Tettoni, Kukas, Connearney and Cappadona providing solid penalty killing.