When two teams put on a show like the Vipers and the Cents did on Saturday night, sometimes there are worse things than a draw. There are times when it looked like both teams were about to put the other away, but in the end some solid goaltending kept it a draw.
The Vipers jumped out to an early lead just 98 seconds into the game after Riley Guenther let a slap shot go from the right point that found its way past Devin Kero. The Cents would respond after Scotty Patterson stole a puck at the Viper blue line and snapped it past Todosychuk to get it even up. There was a nice spirited tilt between two number 12's as TJ Dumonceaux and Rhett Willcox dropped the mitts with both players landing some good shots. The period would end in a 1-1 tie.
The Cents would start the second on the powerplay, but would score shortly after it expired as Jeff Wight jammed home a loose puck to give the Cents a 2-1 lead. The Vipers tallied after TJ Dumonceaux finished off a 2 on 1 to tie the game at 2. The tie was shortlived as Payton Schaefer scored just 44 seconds later to give his team another lead. Just under 3 minutes later Logan Mick would be in the right place at the right time after Devin Kero bobbled the puck behind his net to make it 3-3 after 2.
With both teams eyeing the two points the third, they were very tight defensively, until a Daniel Nachbaur found some room in the slot to give the Cents a 4-3 lead. The Vipers didn't give up as another quick response, this time from Dexter Dancs, found its way past Kero to get the game tied up at 4. Demico Hannoun would be assessed a 5 minute major for high sticking Rhett Willcox after a conversation at the penalty box. From where I was standing, I didn't see the whole incident, but the Vipers were able to kill it off and get the game to overtime. Nothing was solved in the 10 minutes following and both teams would skate away with a point.
My 3 Key Thoughts
1) - Nice Respsonse - The Vipers were down 3 times in the game and came back all three times to force overtime. It wasn't just the timing of the tying goals, but the way they were scored. A nice two on one goal from Dumonceaux, pressuring the goalie into a mistake capitalized on by Mick and a beautifully placed wrist shot from Dancs on a 3 on 2. The team was without Michael McNicholas and Mason Blacklock, and scoring goals in that building can be tough let alone when you're behind three times, but the Vipers were able to do tie it and will be happy with the one point.
2) - PK Stellar - The PK was outstanding once again for the Vipers and really saved the game at crucial times. Most importantly a five minute major with just five and a half minutes to play in regulation when the game was tied up at 4. I would go as far as saying that it was the turning point of the game. There was maybe one good chance for the Cents on the powerplay, but the Vipers did a good job of forcing Merritt to shoot the puck in, then quickly send it back down the ice not allowing any set up time.
3) - Small Victories - Its come to the point in the season for the Vipers where right now when the wins just aren't coming you need to factor in the small victories. For this team, battling through the major penalty, 3 deficits and still getting a point in a building that is never easy for the opposition its a small victory they can build on for Friday against Trail.
Next up for the Vipers is a home matchup against the Trail Smoke Eaters. Its an internet only broadcast that you can hear starting at 6:45.
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