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This week's Green Helmet, which is given to the 98 player who best exemplifies the meaning of Team, goes to defenseman Aaron Dollin. There was one play that separated Aaron from the other qualified nominees this weekend, during the 98's 3-1 loss to the Falcons, a Falcon forward raced in on a breakaway, and Aaron could have easily pulled up and observed the play, but Aaron never gave up on the play and at the last minute knocked the puck off the forwards stick and he was never able to get a shot off. It was that play and his consistent effort all week that helped him wear the coveted green helmet out of the rink.The Green Helmet award is all about our players doing the little things that usually go unnoticed but go a long way to lead a team to victory. Brendan White and Patrick McCarthy were also nominated for this weeks award. It should be noted that the award is awarded based on an entire week of activities, from skills to practices to games and how the player carries himself in the room.

Mental mistakes plagued the 98 Vipers as they lost 3-1 to the high Flying Falcons. The Falcons pretty much had their way with the Vipers in this one, as they jumped out to a 1-0 first period lead and extended that to 3-0 before the Vipers were finally able to get on the board early in the third period. Kyle Hentosh set up to the side of the cage and slid a nifty pass to Kyle Lynch who wasted no time in banging it home, that was as close as the Vipers would come in this one as the Falcons controlled the last 5 minutes of the game. Aaron McDonnell and Andrew Krajeski did an outstanding job in the cage for the Vipers keeping the score close. It does not get any easier for the Vipers this weekend as they have 2 games with the first place Warrior Elites Saturday and Sunday

The 98's made the trek to Conneticut to take on the Mass Select Leagues Clippers, and they did so with a very short bench for the first time this year as they were down 3 players, they overcame the short bench and rolled to a 6-0 win. JT Chamberlain (2-1-3) got the visitors on the board first as he stole a puck in the neutral zone, broke free and lited one over the goalies glove hand for the 1-0 first period lead. Kyle Lynch would score just 40 seconds into the second frame to push the lead to 2-0, Kyle Hentosh (0-2-2) and Brendan White (2-1-3) would add the helpers. Whitey and Chamberlain would score the next 2 goals to extend the lead to 5-0, Jack Moretti (0-1-1), Christian Kukas (0-1-1) and Noah Maercklein (1-1-2) would add the assists and finally Maercklein would round out the scoring bouncing one in off the goalies glove. Patirck McCarthy and Aaron Dollin would chip in with solid efforts on the blueline while Andrew Krajeski and Aaron McDonnell would combine for the goose egg.

Goalie Aaron McDonnell took home the precious Hard Hat Player of the week Award for the 98 club this week as he turned in two solid efforts between the pipes this weekend. In Saturdays game with the Panthers Aaron played a large part in the Vipers earning a point in a 2-2 tie. On Sunday Aaron came in late in the second period and immediately stopped 2 Panther breakaways to keep the Vipers within striking distance. It was his gutsy play all weekend that got him the honors. Heath King, Brendan White and Kyle Hentosh were all considered as well.

Panthers Hold On 3-2...   The Panthers scored the first 3 goals of the game before the Vipers would put together some kind of sustained pressure, but it wasn't enough as the Panthers held on for the win in a very physical game which saw the teams combine for 20 (Nashua 13 - Vipers 7) penalties. The Panthers as the did on Saturday scored first very early in the game, and then would add two more in the second period that saw the Vipers totally outworked in their own end as the Panthers hemmed them in with a tenacious forecheck. The Vipers would close the gap in the third as Kyle Lynch would score on the power play as he tapped in a Kyle Hentosh rebound. Then with just under 4 minutes left in the game Heat King slid an absolute perfect pass through the crease and found Christian Kukas cutting to the net and Kukas launched a seed up under the bar in what could have been the goal of the year to cut the lead to one.  The Vipers would continue to get their chances as the undisciplined Panthers paraded to the box but could not bang home the equalizer.

Rivalry Heats Up!!  In the first of two games this weekend the 98 Vipers squeaked out a point as Chris Goggin buried a turn around wrister from the face-off circle with 2:13 left in the game to give the Vipers an ugly tie. Not playing their best hockey the Vipers managed to stay in the game thanks to some solid goaltending by Aaron McDonnell. Always an intense battle when these two teams get together and this game did not disappoint. JT Chamberlain on a very nice individual effort tied the game for the Vipers late in the first at 1. The Panthers would take the lead just 50 seconds into the third period before Goggins' heroics would earn the Vipes the point. Same two teams square off again tomorrow..

Ryan Connearney earned the coveted green helmet this week with his hard nosed, unselfish play on the blue line for the 98 Vipers. Ryan is the consummate team player week in and week out, and although any member of the team could have won the helmet this week Ryan consistently brought his in your face style of play  to the rink all week and exemplifies what the Hard Hat Award means. Congratulations Ryan and wear the Green Helmet with Pride !!!!

 

The 98's would close out an excellent weekend by defeating the New England Bulldogs 6-1 in Cambridge. Goalies Aaron McDonnell and Andrew Krajeski continue to play well as the Vipers move to 8-1-1 in their last 10 games. JT Chamberlain (2-0-2), Kyle Lynch (1-1-2, GWG), Kyle Hentosh (1-2-3), Rob Murphy (1-0-1) and Dante Maribito (1-1-2) would be the goal scorers, The Viper defenseman also got on the score sheet as Heath King (0-1-1) Ryan Connearney (0-1-1) and Jack Moretti (0-1-1) also chipped in with helpers, as would Brendan White, and Noah Maercklein continues his solid play by adding 2 assists. Patrick McCarthy and Aaron Dollin also contributed with solid efforts on the blue line. The Vipers return to league action next weekend with 2 big games against the Nashua Panthers, as they look to even up their league record.

                                                        

In a very entertaining hockey game the Vipers scored 2 unanswered goals in the third period and came back to beat the Assabet Valley Patriots 2-1. The fans got their money's worth in this one as both teams played to a quick pace up and down the ice. After a scoreless first period the Patriots struck first as a forward was allowed to walk out of the corner untouched and slide one past keeper Aaron McDonnell. The period would end with the Vipers trailing after 2 periods 1-0. The Vipers hard work would pay off as half way through the third period Dante Maribito would strike on the power play to tie the game at 1, Ryan Connearney  and Kyle Hentosh would add the assists. Just 40 seconds later Chris Goggin would bury the game winner from the slot off a nice feed from JT Chamberlain, who had himself a nice weekend. Aaron McDonnell and Andrew Krajeski would do a fine job between the pipes for the Vipes. Once again the Vipers continue their solid play in their own end, Patrick McCarthy and Matt Tauro would chip in with a fine game on the blueline.

The 98 Vipers got some timely scoring and applied consistent pressure to the cage as they upended the Devils 5-3 at Umass-Boston. The Vipers moved the puck very nicely in the offensive zone, and did a good job at the possession game, if not for some strong Devil goaltending the Vipers could have extended their lead on many different occasions. Kyle Lynch (2-2-4) had a strong game while pacing the offense got the Vipers on the board first with a power play goal, helpers went to Dante Maribito (0-4-4) and Kyle Hentosh (1-2-3), Brendan White (1-0-1) would then strike for the visitors with  an outstanding wrist shot over the keepers blocker and into the top corner, Rob Murphy picked up the assist (0-1-1), JT Chamberlain (1-0-1) would be in the right spot at the right time as he deposited the eventual game winner on a nice backhand shot form the slot, Maribito and Lynch picked up the assists and the Kyle Hentosh would add the insurance as he poked in a loose puck in front of the net to finish off the scoring, Lynch and Maribito again on the help. Ryan Connearny and Jack Moretti would lead the way on the blue line as they both turned in solid efforts.. The Vipers are now 7-2-1 in their last 10 games.