Vipers improving when it counts

By Garrett Fodor

The LaSalle Vipers of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League are trying to prove last year was not a fluke as they were finalists in the Western Conference and the Sutherland Cup, as the second best junior ‘B’ team in all of Ontario.

Last season was a roller coaster of sorts for the Vipers as they lost in game 6 of  the Western Conference finals to their county rivals the Leamington Flyers. Despite losing, the team was named one of the four teams to play for the Sutherland Cup. The Vipers surprised the Elmira Sugar Kings by pulling off the upset in game 7 of the semi finals. However, LaSalle would eventually fall to the Caledonia Corvairs in six games of the finals.

Fast forward one year and the Vipers are nearing the playoffs sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference. With 13 members from last year’s team still with the organization, hopes are high that the team can improve on the results of their 2015 season.

Since the new year, the Vipers have a 4-2 record and have been improving both their position in the standings and their roster. Following the league trade deadline Jan. 11, the team has added six players who did not begin the season with the Vipers. Included in these players were former Vipers Daniel Beaudoin and Brett Primeau who had been playing junior ‘A.’

One of the players who was absent from the opening lineup was defenseman and team captain Nathan Veres. Veres has been hampered by injuries in his final season of junior hockey, playing just eight games. Veres said he believes having Beaudoin and Primeau back is great with their experience and abilities.

“Having these guys back here definitely strengthens us up a bit and we were just starting to get things in check and building steam. It’s great to see the momentum we’re starting to gain,” said Veres. “It was great to get a win against Leamington, especially as we’re getting guys back. It was a great character win for the team.”

Along with Primeau and Beaudoin returning from time in junior ‘A’ comes Niagara native, defenseman Ryan Sariss who spent time in the Ontario Hockey League, while Cale Allen crossed sides of the rivalry after being released from Leamington.

Head coach and general manager Bill Bowler said these players are bringing their depth and experience.

“Brett was our co-rookie of the year last year,” said Bowler. “He knows us, we know him, he’s a huge addition and he finds a way to score goals. Ryan fits in nicely, he can play all three zones while Dan had a strong playoff performance with us last year and was playing with the Spitfires. The thing with our league is there’s lots of parity. If we play to our ability we have a chance against anybody on any given night.”

Veres said he likes being the underdog and underestimated ahead of playoffs.

“At least coming into it now, we are not the outstanding front runner,” said Veres. “We know we have a great team here and that we can make some noise. We know what happened last year, how close we came and how great it feels. The potential is there.”

LaSalle will look to move up the standings Sunday, when they travel to Chatham to take on the Maroons before hosting Lambton Shores Wednesday.