Vipers regain series lead

by Rob Benneian

Special teams play was the deciding factor in a 6-3 LaSalle Vipers win over the Strathroy Rockets, which vaulted them to a 2-1 series lead.

Captain Eric Noel gave the Vipers an early lead with two goals 80 seconds apart in the game’s opening minutes. Noel first tipped home a point shot from defenceman Chris Pignanelli, then cashed on the rebound of a Dylan Denomme attempt. Noel would later add an assist to run his playoff point total through three games to eight.

“It’s a different atmosphere. The playoffs are a whole new level,” Noel said. “This being my last year, I don’t want to hold back anything.”

Strathroy would answer with two goals of their own – Stuart King scored each by grabbing rebounds off the end boards and tucking the puck past Vipers goaltender Taylor Speed – before LaSalle’s Brendan McCann restored the lead on a power play in the final minute of the first period.

The Vipers increased their lead to two goals through 40 minutes of play as Blake Jones, with Rockets defenceman Matthew Watson in the box for elbowing Spencer VanBuskirk, and Dylan Denomme scored to answer an early goal by Strathroy’s Adam Vandersluis.

McCann added an empty netter to close out the scoring.

VanBuskirk and Rockets defenceman Jordan DaSilva each received major penalties and game misconducts for high-sticking with 23 seconds left in the game, and VanBuskirk and Strathroy forward Mike Mandarelli were each handed 10-minute misconducts for inciting.

“I don’t think any of that happens if Mandarelli doesn’t do anything dumb,” said Vipers head coach Ryan Donally.

Rockets head coach Dan Gibson said the series, which has seen two majors, six 10-minute misconducts and two game misconducts handed out in three games, has been a healthy competition with some heated battles.

“The last three games have been a war,” Noel said. “That’s playoff hockey. You’ve got to fight adversity, injuries and overcome it.”