Announcement
You would think that three missing players and two coaches, and a 7:00 AM Sunday game might throw the Community Savings Viper’s off their game, but you would be wrong. Coach Dean and Hammer are currently in Mexico, soaking up sun and indulging in cool Mexican beverages, while Coach Al and Brett were away in Calgary coaching in a Ringette tournament.
It’s been a month since the Viper’s played in league competition and the boy’s were eager to get back into it. Our opponent was Superior Propane, and in our previous match –up the Viper’s skated away with a 5-4 win, but coughed up a 4-1 lead, so we knew we were in for a test. The Viper’s had 2 practices this week and looked ready to get the job done. During Friday’s practice, coach “Iron Mark” put the boys through an intense physical workout, and while the Viper’s were up to the challenge, coaches Jeff and Dan could barely walk the next day. Last week the Viper’s ran out of gas in the third period so we are making a concerted effort to increase our physical fitness level.
The Viper’s came out of the box like gangbusters on Sunday morning, and out shot their opponents 13-3 in the first period, however the score was knotted at 1. The damage could have been worse as 2 of the 3 first period “shots” were breakaways. Noalie the goalie came up huge on the second break-a-way and kept things close and the Viper’s potted one with 3 seconds left tie up the score at 1 each. In the second period the Viper’s again out chanced, and this time out scored the Propaners, finishing the second period with a 4-3 lead. A little let down in the third period let Superior back into the game and allowed them to take a 5- 4 lead with only 6 minutes remaining. The go ahead goal was the wake up call the Viper’s needed and they bared down scoring 4 quick goals (including an empty netter) winning the game 8-5. In the end we out shot our opponent 38-23 and the score reflected the dominance that we had.
As a team it might have been one of our best game as far as positional play goes. The boys filled in for each other, covered their men, and knew where to be and go on the face-off. Carson Stuve and Austin Price worked very hard playing Center and rotating between 3 forward lines. Offensively the Miner & Leedahl line were responsible for 5 of the 8 goals with “Flash” Miner potting his first hat trick of the year, and Easton Leedahl throwing one in. Stuve, Price, and Bratzke also lit the lamp on behalf of the Viper’s. Defensively, Stefan Theriault and Brandan Hart had stellar games for the Viper’s. As usual, Noalie was steady and at times stupendous for us between the pipes.
This week the Viper’s and their fans should get their fill of hockey as we have 3 practices and 5 games from Monday till next Sunday. Check out the photo section of the website this week as I have uploaded game action photos from today’s game courtesy of Steve Cormack. See ya next week!
