U15 SPLIT - TIER 1: News

The Vipers remained undefeated in the Top Gun Tourney with a stunning 2-1 victory over the Springfield Pics. The Vipers controlled a good portion of the game in this one, out shooting and outworking the Pics with some tenacious forechecking, but  with the Pics goaltender playing well and making many fine stops the Vipers had to keep coming. After not allowing a shot on net for the entire first period the Vipers found themselves down 1-0 halfway through the second period. The Vipers never stopped working hard in all 3 zones and it finally paid off after numerous chances as Kyle Hentosh would snap home the equalizer with just 4 minutes left in the game, Kyle Lynch would pick up the helper as he continued his torrid pace this weekend. The 98's would go on to control the last 4 minutes of the game with many excellent scoring chances, but were kept at bay by the hot Pics goalie. With 15 seconds left in the game and the Pics D in control of the puck, Brendan White was in perfect position to pick off a clearing attempt just inside the blue, he started to attack the net, put the brakes on and slide an incredible pass to Rob Murphy who found himself in alone and quickly snapped home the winner with just :09 ticks left on the clock, sending the packed house into a frenzy. The Vipers will now head into the playoff format as the #1 seed and will try to advance to the finals by knocking off Assabet Valley Patriots on Sunday.

                     

The 98's scored 3 first period goals in route to a 7-0 win over the New England Moose in their second game of the tournament to improve to 2-0. The Green Line of Kyle Lynch (3-2-5), Kyle Hentosh (1-2-3) and Dante Maribito (2-1-3) did most of the damage in this one as they were fyling from the drop of the puck, Chris Goggin from Heath King finished out the scoring for the Vipers, who looked strong in all 3 zones. The Viper defense of Ryan Connearney, Aaron Dollin, Matty Tauro, Jack Moretti and Christian Kukas did a great job of keeping everything to the perimeter on the big sheet. Andrew Krajeski made the ones he had to in earning the shutout between the pipes..

In the opening round of the Top Gun Tourney the 98 Vipers shook of the rust and edged the Patriots of Assabet Valley 2-1. After not playing a game in 10 days the Vipes came out and played a solid game in earning the first win. AVP went ahead 1-0 in the first when they jumped on a turnover at the Viper blueline, walked in beat a defenseman and slid one past goalie Aaron McDonnell. Chris Goggin would tie things at 1 as he would finish off a fine effort by the Orange Line as asusual Chris was camped out front and banged in a nice feed from JT Chamberlain, Heath King who had a fine game also picked up a helper. About 3 minutes left in the game Kyle Lynch took matters into his own hands, raced down the right wing and fired a wrist shot that broke through the 5-hole to give the Vipers the lead and the eventual win. Aaron McDonnell perserved the win with an incredible glove save off a deflection in front, as the Vipers beat Assabet for the second time this year.

The 98's responded to their tough loss on Saturday with a lackluster win against the Exeter Freeza on Sunday morning. The Vipers would jump out front 1-0 just 3 minutes into the game as Noah Maercklein (3-1-4) would finish off a nice dish from Kyle Hentosh(0-1-1) to make it 1-0. Christian Kukas (1-0-1) would then send a nice wrist shot trough traffic from the point that would find the back of the net for the 2-0 lead, Rob Murphy (0-3-3) and Maercklein would get the helpers on that one. Exeter would get the only goals in the second period as the Vipers looked undisciplined and unorganized, but came out of the period with a 2-1 lead. Noah would add 2 more goals in the third to seal the win, Murphy would pick up an assist on the third and fourth goals and Brendan White who played a fine game would also add a helper. The coaching staff also singled out the play of Kyle Lynch who provided constant energy and pressure the entire game

98 Vipers went to Springfield on Saturday with hopes of getting the monkey off their back against the Falcons, but they fell just short  coming out on the wrong end of a 2-1 decision.   The Flacons would jump on the board first and lead 1-0 after the first period, and would take the same lead into the second intermission, the third period saw the Vipers tie it up quickly as Chris Goggin was planted in front of the net and took a nice feed from JT Chamberlain and deposited the tying goal in the upper half of the net. The Falcons would respond quickly some 2 minutes later to take the lead once again, the Vipers would keep plugging and Kyle Hentosh would score what everybody in the building thought was the tying goal on a wrap around, everybody but the official that is, as the goal was taken off the board and the Falcons went onto their win.

The Vipers run at the North American Championships came to an abrupt end this morning at the hands of the mighty Minuteman Flames by the score of 8-1. The Vipers fell behind early but they didn't let that bother them as with 5:50 to go in period 1, Kyle Lycnh would streak down the right side, make a nice move around the defender and slide a nice pass to Kyle Hentosh who would knock it in to tie the game at 1, and that would be how the first period ended. The Vipers did a nice job in the second period of slowing the Flames down through the middle of the ice but they would still break through for two goals and take a 3-1 lead after 2. The Flames would then flex their muscles and score 4 unanswered goals in 4 minutes to put the game well in hand, they would add another with 30 seconds left as well. The Vipers left the rink with their heads held high after an incredible run in this tournament.

A very tired 98 Vipers team took the ice last night for their fifth game in three days last night against their pesky league nemisis Falcons of Springfield, and fell 3-0. The Vipers could never really generate much offense against the Falcons and when they did some strong goaltending kept them off the board. Andrew Krajeski played a fine game between the pipes for the Vipes. They did however finish in second place in the tournament and will take on the high flying Minuteman Flames in the semifinals today at 7:30a.

The 98 Vipers continue to play some of their best hockey of the year down the stretch as they beat the Middlesex Islanders 2-1, in an incredible squirt hockey game played by both teams. The first period was played dead even and ended in a 0-0 tie as both clubs had their chances. The Vipers got on the board fist as the Orange Line of Heath King(0-1-1) JT Chamberlain(1-1-2) and Chris Goggin(1-1-2) who were absolutly flying all over the ice this morning hooked up as JT Chamberlain swung the net and fed Chris Goggin who put a back hand up up over the goalies shoulder. The line would continue to buzz around the ice and their hard work would pay off agin as JT Chamberlain banged in a loose puck in front of the cage off a Heath King shot to make it 2-0, that goal came with just 1:06 left and the 2nd period ended 2-0 in favor of the Vipers. The Islanders would catch a break with 8:00 minutes left in the game and cut the lead to 1. After that it was the Viper team defense that took over as they remained disciplined and continued to force turnovers all over the ice. The Islanders pulled their goalie but could not mount much pressure down the stretch, as Dante Maribito's attempt at the open net just went wide to seal the game. A complete team effort up and down the lineup for the Vipers, as the defense did a remarkable job at keeping the Islanders and their shots to the perimeter. Aaron McDonnell stood tall between the pipes in the victory making many fine stops.

The Vipers made it 2 in a row with a convincing win over the Springfield Pics by a score of 4-0 and will look to upset the first place Islanders on Sunday morning. Kyle Lynch (1-1-2) would get the Vipers on the board in the first with a quick turnaround shot from in tight, Brendan White(0-1-1) and Kyle Hentosh (1-1-2) would get the helpers with some nice work around the net. With just 36 seconds left in the first Heath King's(1-0-1) hard work in front of the net would pay off as he knocked one in the far side as he was getting knocked down in front for a 2-0 first  period lead, Chris Goggin(0-2-2) and JT Chamberlain(0-1-1) with the assists. Aaron Dollin(1-0-1) would round out the scoring on a laser from the right point through traffic, with Goggin and Patrick McCarthy(0-1-1) picking up the assists on the power play goal. With Dante Maribito not in attendence Brendan White played a fine game as did Ryan Connearney while moving up to play forward, Aaron McDonnell and Andrew Krajeski both handled the one shot apiece that they saw.

The 98 Vipers showed up this morning and played 3 complete periods and skated to a 5-3 win over the Terriers. The Vipers used a patient foecheck and some dogged work in the D-Zone to take the victory. The Vipers jumped out to the 1-0 lead on a goal by Kyle Lynch (3-0-3) that was set up by some nice work on the wall by Kyle Hentosh(0-2-2) and Dante Maribito(0-2-2), and Lynchie sent a shot to the far side that snuck through. The same combination hooked up again to put the Vipers ahead 2-0 after 1 period. The Terriers would then score 3 straight goals in the middle frame to take a 3-2 lead. With 4 minutes left in the period Heath King(0-1-1) provided some nice forechecking down low, got it to JT Chamberlain(1-1-2) behind the net who swung the net and made a nice pass to the front of the cage where Chris Goggin was waiting and lifted the tying goal into the top corner, for a 3-3 tie after 2 periods. Three minutes into the third Chamberlain would jump on a turnover just inside the Terrier line walk in on a breakaway and slide a nice backhand in the net to give the Vipers the lead for good. Maribito would provide some crucial forechecking with about a minute left which would pin the Terriers in their own end, and then Lynchie while providing great help in his own end would pick up the puck just inside his own blue line and deposit it into the open net with 4 seconds left to give him the hattrick and more importantly a well deserved win for the Vipers. All six defenseman did a great job of keeping the play in front of them and clearing the net the entire game. The Vipers get back at it later on tonight against the Springfield Pics.