Vipers Remain Undefeated in Regulation
Vipers forward Dylan Denomme (left) scores a diving goal on Maroons goalie Darien Ekblad between Maroons defense (10) Nate Pietens and forward (7) Trevor Richardson during second period action at the Vollmer Recreational Complex Oct. 9. (Photo by/Phillip Beneteau)
By Phil Beneteau
Dylan Denomme had two goals in his return to the LaSalle Vipers as they defeated the Chatham Maroons 4-2 at the Vollmer Recreational Complex Oct.9.
Dylan Denomme was the leading scorer for the LaSalle Vipers and a conference all-star last season. He left in the summer for the British Columbia Hockey League’s Nanaimo Clippers but only played six games before returning to the LaSalle Vipers.
Denomme said he was excited to be back in a LaSalle uniform.
“It was awesome, I was really nervous before the game,” said Denomme. “I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep last night and I was just so pumped until the puck dropped.”
The Maroons came out with a lot of pressure in the first period, outshooting the Vipers 10 to three. The Maroons also added two goals to take an early first period lead over LaSalle.
After a scrum in front of the next that put LaSalle’s Zack Percy and Chatham’s Connor Dean in the penalty box, the Vipers began their comeback. Fifteen seconds later Denomme scored his first goal of the season on a diving effort just over three minutes into the second period.
Momentum began to shift in favour of LaSalle. Vipers forward Brad Carroll tied the game with a tipped point shot that beat Maroons goalie Darien Ekblad. The Vipers continued to control the play and out-shot the Maroons 16-4 in the second period.
Denomme’s second goal and the eventual game winner came on a breakaway just 32 seconds into the third period.
With the win the Vipers improve to 10 wins this season with only one loss, coming in a shootout.
“We’re just enjoying ourselves, it’s fun times coming to the rink. The reality is we’re winning games we may not deserve right now but again there will be games later in the year that we think we’ve outplayed and maybe don’t get the outcome we’re hoping for,” said Vipers head coach Bill Bowler.
Bowler said he expects a lot from Denomme, but he also expects a lot of himself.
The Vipers have had a strong start to the season and the addition of Denomme will give extra help to a team that has scored the second-most goals in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League so far this season.
The LaSalle Vipers will look to continue their winning ways as they visit the St. Mary’s Lincolns Oct. 11.
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