How Sweet It Is! 97 Vipers Take NEHL National Division Championship.

On Sunday, March 14^th, the 97 Vipers defeated the Assabet Valley Patriots by a score of 3 - 2 to win the NEHL National Division Championship this weekend. This was a terrific victory for the Vipers and the right way to end the season.

The road to this championship wasn't easy and the Vipers did it the hard way. On Friday night, the Vipers entered the round-robin playoff tournament facing the Valley Junior Warriors. The Vipers had beaten the Warriors in all four regular season contests and felt confident about an opening round victory. The Vipers jumped out to a 2 - 0 lead, but the Warriors stormed back in the 3^rd period to defeat the Vipers 4 - 2.

In a must win situation, the Vipers faced the Manchester Monarchs on Saturday morning. Lose and the Vipers had no chance to advance to the finals. Inspired by Coach John Wooden's book "The Good Life" and an unwavering resolve to win, along with a strong sense of team, the Vipers came to play. The superior skating Vipers applied a constant pressure to the Monarchs and held a large territorial advantage throughout the first period. This strategy paid-off as the determined Vipers caused many Monarch turnovers resulting in a convincing 4 - 1 Viper victory.

Four hours later, the Vipers faced the Assabet Valley Patriots. In the four previous regular season games the Vipers and Assabet had tied three times, so this promised to be a war. A loss and the Viper's season was over. It was going to come down to what team wanted it more. The Vipers headed into the game on a mission. It was ours to take! Leveraging their skating assets, the Vipers swarmed and were relentless in their pressure. The Vipers were winning the battles in all zones of the ice and clearly were the stronger team. Despite this territorial advantage the game remained tied with three minutes left. The Viper work ethic finally paid-off again as they scored two goals in the last few minutes of the game to defeat Assabet 3 - 1.  

Finally, the stage was set for a rematch between the Vipers and Assabet on Sunday for the championship. The Vipers were ready for the test, mentally prepared and confident. Viper players were exchanging words of encouragement before the game ... "This is our time, boys". Coach Somerville stressed the keys to the game and lessons in life. He repeated the phrase "Carpe Diem" to the puzzled Vipers in the locker room. Later he explained its meaning. The Vipers had earned a great opportunity to play in the finals, but now it was their time to "seize the day".

The Vipers faced a more determined Assabet team than the day before. The Patriots scored the first goal and look like a different team. The Vipers came to life and played with passion and a sense of urgency. It took every player on the Viper team to contribute their best effort. The Vipers rallied and scored the next two goals to take a 2 - 1 lead. Late in the 3^rd period with their goalie pulled, Assabet tied the Vipers 2 - 2. With less than two minutes remaining in the game, the not to be denied Vipers scored to make it a 3 - 2 final.

What a special group of young men! As parents we are all proud of their accomplishment. What an inspiration as well as a terrific lesson in life. In the words of Jim Valvano, "Don't give up. Don't ever give up." Way to go Vipers!