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It was one shift that separated JT Chamberlain from the rest of the deserving 98's over the weekend, as JT blocked 2 shots in one shift after completing a very nice backcheck. JT blocked a shot from the faceoff circle then raced back up to the blue line to block another from the point, he also scored the only goal of the game on a nice rush. Patrick McCarthy also was considered for the prestigious award, as on Saturday the entire team was given consideration as the entire roster did their part.

In the second of a two game series the 98 VJW Elites edged the 98 Vipers on Sunday by using a 3 goal second period to put the Vipes away. The Warriors would score 2 goals in 10 seconds 2 minutes into the second period to put the Vipers back on their heels, they would add a third to make it 3-0 before the Vipers would get on the board with a nifty rush and finish by JT Chamberlain, Aaron Dollin got the assist as he sprung Chamberlain out of the zone and down the left wing wall. This was another excellent game between the two teams as the first period was played even with a 0-0 score after 1 and the third period was played even, except for a meaningless empty netter with 26 seconds left. The Vipers could never recover from the 3 goal second period, even while gaining some momentum in the third. Patrick McCarthy and Jack Moretti played well on the blueline for the Vipers

98 VJW Elite scored with 2:20 minutes left in the game to salvage a tie with the 98 Vipers in a very entertaining game in Haverhill. In a game that saw the Vipers give back the lead 3 times to the Warriors the Vipers walked away with a disappointing tie to the first place VJW Elites. After falling behind 1-0 in the first, Dante Maribito (1-1-2) was able to redirect a beautiful shot from Ryan Connearney (0-2-2) to tie the score at 1. Just 40 seconds later the Vipers went ahead 2-1 on a beautiful goal from Kyle Hentosh (1-0-1) as he finished off a great rush started by Kyle Lynch (1-1-1) who sent Maribito away who then fed Hentosh on a beautiful 2 on 1. The Warriors then answered just 30 seconds later with a backbreaking goal with just 13 seconds left in the  period to tie the game at 2.  The Vipers jumped out to a quick 3-2 lead early in the second period as Kyle Lynch tapped in the rebound off a beautiful offensive rush by defenseman Connearney. Again the Warriors would score a very late goal with 59 seconds left to tie the score at 3. The third period was tense and exciting as each team exchanged chances, Noah Maercklein was denied on a breakaway with about 12 minutes left to preserve the tie and the Vipers Aaron McDonnell answered with his own breakaway save  with 9 minutes left to keep things at 3-3. With 2:49 left Brendan White made a terrific play behind the net and slid an incredible pass to Noah Maercklein in the slot who fired a wrist shot over the goalies glove to give the Vipes the 4-3 lead. Unfortunately just 29 seconds later the Warriors raced in on a 2-1 and deposited the game tying goal with just 2:20 left. The same two teams square off tomorrow in Haverhill.

Three Vipers were honored this week by the NEHL as players of the week ending 11/30/08.  Chris Goggin, Nick Salgado and Caroline Kukas were all outstanding in their league games throughout the weekend.  Congratulations!

 

SQUIRT EAST
Nashua had a win and a tie against the Vipers. Kyle Feeney had the winner late in the second period and Nashua built a 3-0 lead and held on for a 3-2 victory as Kyle Hentosh had 1-1-2 for the Vipers - and Chris Goggin scored with 2:13 left to give the Vipers a 2-2 tie with Nashua.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Chris Goggin, Vipers

 

 

SQUIRT WEST
Nick Salgado had a goal and an assist as the Vipers beat the Monsters, 4-0.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Nick Salgado, Vipers.

 

 

 

MITE
Caroline Kukas pitched a shutout and Jake Mecrones had a goal and an assist to lead the Vipers to a 2-0 victory over the Cyclones.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Caroline Kukas, Vipers

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..