Red Deer Vipers

Thursday, 25 February 2016

VIPERS DOUBLED UP BY THUNDER IN GAME SIX

VIPERS DOUBLED UP BY THUNDER IN GAME SIX

Red Deer loses 4-2 to Airdrie in Game Six to force deciding Game Seven.

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Red Deer, AB – On a Wednesday evening at the Red Deer Arena, the Red Deer Vipers hosted the Airdrie Thunder in Game Six of their best-of-seven Heritage Junior Hockey League North Division Semi-Final. With the Vipers leading the series 3-2, they started Cole Sears in net, while the Thunder countered with Kade Taplin.

The opening half of the first period saw the teams go end-to-end with several scoring opportunities highlighted by a partial breakaway from the Vipers’ Kale Lapointe who found his backhand turned aside by Taplin. Despite being outshot, Airdrie tallied the game’s first goal as Dylan Mccuaig buried a rebound of the back boards for the 1-0 lead. The Thunder’s 1-0 advantage would hold for the remainder of the opening period.

The Vipers continued to control a majority of the play for the opening half of the second period, but it would be Airdrie who struck for their second just after the 10 minute mark. On the man advantage, Clay Murray corralled a puck in the slot and roofed one over Sears to stretch the Thunder lead to two. Airdrie then added another tally in the last minute of the period as Mark Kunitz fired a shot over the right shoulder of Sears from the right faceoff circle to make it a three goal game. After 40 minutes, the Thunder led 3-0.

Airdrie saw an opportunity early in the third period to put the game away as Murray broke in alone on Sears, but the Vipers’ netminder flashed the pad to turn away the Thunder sniper. The save proved crucial as the home side found their first goal of the night minutes later. In front of the Airdrie net, Spencer Yeats battled for a loose puck before sliding it past Taplin to make it 3-1. Red Deer continued to press and with two minutes left in the game made it a one goal game as Jonathan Finnigan unloaded a point shot on the powerplay that was deflected past Taplin by Tye Munro to make it 3-2. Seconds later then with goaltender pulled, Vipers’ forward Drew Joslin fired a shot that hit the post and deflected out of the zone to the stick of Airdrie’s Parker Georgsen who fired home the empty net marker. Thunder 4 Vipers 2.

Red Deer outshot Airdrie 38-32. The North Division best-of-seven series is now tied 3-3.

Game Seven will take place Friday, February 26^th in Airdrie. Puck drop is set for 8:00 PM.

The Red Deer Vipers are proud to host the 2016 Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships taking place March 31^st – April 3^rd, 2016. Head over to the Vipers website at www.reddeervipers.com for more information.

Saturday, 20 February 2016

VIPERS LOSE GAME FOUR HEARTBREAKER

VIPERS LOSE GAME FOUR HEARTBREAKER

Nick Glackin scores twice in Red Deer’s Game Four 4-3 defeat to Airdrie; series tied 2-2.

For Immediate Release

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Red Deer, AB – Saturday night at the Red Deer Arena saw the Red Deer Vipers host the Airdrie Thunder in Game Four of their Heritage Junior Hockey League North Division Semi-Final. Looking for the 3-1 series lead, the Vipers started Cole Sears between the pipes, while the Thunder countered with Kade Taplin.

Much like the last game in Red Deer, Airdrie took an early lead as Kody Mcmanus put a puck past Sears off a faceoff 66 seconds into the game for the 1-0 lead. The Thunder would then strike for their second of the night as Clay Murray broke in alone on Sears and fired a shot over the glove of the Vipers’ netminder. Airdrie would take a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.

The Thunder struck again early into the middle period as Mark Kunitz roofed a backhand deke past Sears after a Vipers defensive miscue to give the visitors the 3-0 lead. Airdrie continued to hold a huge edge in play, which was highlighted by a parade to the penalty box by the home side. Despite the numerous powerplays, including an extended five-on-three man advantage, the Thunder could not put another one past Sears, as Red Deer’s goaltender made several point blank stops to keep his team within striking distance. The second period ended with Airdrie leading 3-0.

The Vipers opened the final period with an early powerplay and made no mistake tallying their first of the night. After a point shot was thrown on net, forward Nick Glackin corralled the rebound and slotted it past Taplin to cut the Thunder lead to 3-1. The goal sparked the home side as they continued to pressure Airdrie and were rewarded their second goal with seven minutes to play. From the left side Matt Krusky toe dragged around a defender and then fed a pass to Glackin who tapped in his second of the night. Red Deer then completed the three goal comeback with 2:42 left on the clock as Avery Weenink broke in alone on Taplin and threw the puck five-hole to tie the game 3-3. Despite the three goal comeback, the Vipers would give a heart breaking game winning tally to Thunder player Parker Georgsen, who put a shot past the blocker of Sears with 27 seconds remaining to give the visitors the win. Thunder 4 Vipers 3.

The best-of-seven series is now tied 2-2.

Game Five will take place Tuesday, February 23^rd in Airdrie, with Game Six taking place on Wednesday, February 24^th at the Red Deer Arena. Puck drop is to be determined.

Thursday, 18 February 2016

VIPERS FALL TO THUNDER IN GAME TWO

VIPERS FALL TO THUNDER IN GAME TWO

Red Deer drops Game Two by a 7-4 final to even best-of-seven series.

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Red Deer, AB – On a Wednesday evening at the Red Deer Arena, the Red Deer Vipers hosted the Airdrie Thunder in Game Two of their best-of-seven Heritage Junior Hockey League North Division Semi-Final. The Vipers looked to Cole Sears between the pipes, while the Thunder went with Kade Taplin.

Airdrie took an early 1-0 lead as forward Clay Murray skated into the Vipers’ zone a blasted a slap shot over the right shoulder of Sears two minutes into the game. The Thunder would then stretch their lead to 2-0 with a powerplay tally near the halfway mark as Murray buried his second of the game off a shot from the right faceoff circle. The Vipers looked to respond in the final half of the period, as they generated several quality scoring chances, highlighted by a deflection off the post, but Taplin shut the door to keep the home side scoreless. After 20 minutes, Airdrie lead 2-0.

The Thunder added to their lead 29 seconds into the middle frame as a rebound found the stick of Lukas Pollock, who quickly slide it past an out of position Sears. Dane Gallant converted on Airdrie’s fourth marker just past the midway point of the second period as the Thunder stretched their lead to 4-0. The home side would call a timeout and it proofed crucial as the momentum clearly shifted to the Vipers. Minutes after the timeout, Colton Weseen struck for the Vipers first tally as he converted Tye Munro’s centering pass. Weseen then grabbed his second of the game as he finished off a two-on-one rush with Munro with less than two minutes on the clock to cut the Thunder lead to 4-2. Matt Krusky then scored 50 seconds later as he put a shot shortside on Taplin to bring Red Deer within one. The middle period ended with Airdrie leading 4-3.

The Thunder started the final period with an early powerplay and converted their fifth of the night as Dylan Mccuaig’s backhand found its way past Sears. Despite the score, Red Deer continued to control a majority of the play as they looked for a way back into the game. With five minutes to play, Munro pounced on a loose puck in the slot and threw it past Taplin to bring the Vipers within one. Airdrie quickly responded seconds later to regain their two goal lead as Murray scored his hat trick goal off a shot from the left circle. Murray would then add an empty net tally to insure the win. Thunder 7 Vipers 4.

The Vipers outshot the Thunder 44-26.

Red Deer will now travel to Airdrie for Game Three of their best-of-seven series on Friday, February 19^th. The Vipers will then host Game Four on Saturday, February 20^th at the Red Deer Arena. Puck drop is set for 8:00 PM.

Wednesday, 10 February 2016

VIPERS BLANK STAMPEDERS IN GAME ONE

VIPERS BLANK STAMPEDERS IN GAME ONE

Colton Weseen, Declan Johnston & Jonathan Finnigan each score twice in Red Deer’s 7-0 Game One win over Ponoka.

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Red Deer, AB – The Red Deer Vipers welcomed the Ponoka Stampeders to the Red Deer Arena for Game One of their Heritage Junior Hockey League North Division Quarter-Final matchup. The Vipers started Cole Sears in net, while the Stampeders looked to Carter Gendreau.

Red Deer got off to a strong start as they controlled a majority of the play for the opening half of the first period. The continued pressure paid off as the Vipers opened the scoring just past the halfway mark of the frame. From the left point, Brett Marsollier threw a shot on net that was deflected by Colton Weseen past the outstretched glove of Gendreau for the 1-0 lead. The home side would continue to attack and found their second tally minutes later as Declan Johnston jumped on a loose puck in the blue paint and slotted it past the Ponoka goaltender. Weseen then collected his second of the night before the end of the period as he pounced on a rebound from Jonathan Finnigan’s point shot on the powerplay to push the home side’s lead to 3-0. The Vipers took their three goal lead into the second period.

Red Deer started the second period where they ended the first as Johnston scored his second of the night less than four minutes in as he batted a puck into the net with his back to play to push the Vipers lead to 4-0. The onslaught continued as Finnigan wired a rocket off both posts from the left circle past Gendreau for the 5-0 lead before the halfway mark of the game. Zeke Leuck replaced Gendreau after Red Deer’s fifth marker. Ponoka had their first good scoring chance with five minutes to go in the period as Kwyn Hiebert broke in alone on the shorthanded breakaway, but found his shot turned aside easily by Sears. The teams headed into the second intermission with the Vipers leading 5-0.

Matt Krusky added the home side’s sixth tally of the game seven minutes into the final frame as he walked to the front of the net and buried a shot between the legs of Leuck. Finnigan added his second and the Vipers seventh goal of the game with seconds left on the clock to seal the Game One victory. Vipers 7 Stampeders 0.

Red Deer outshot Ponoka 50-24.

Game Two of the best-of-three matchup takes place tomorrow, Wednesday, February 10^th in Ponoka. Game time is set for 7:45 PM. If necessary, the Vipers will host Game Three on Saturday, February 13^th at the Red Deer Arena. Puck drop would be set for 8:00 PM.

Friday, 5 February 2016

VIPERS SHUTOUT LIGHTNING

VIPERS SHUTOUT LIGHTNING

Cole Sears collects his third shutout in four starts as Red Deer skates past Stettler 7-0.

For Immediate Release

Monday, February 1, 2016

Red Deer, AB – On a Monday evening at the Red Deer Arena, the Red Deer Vipers continued their hunt for first place in the Heritage Junior Hockey League’s Northern Division as they welcomed the Stettler Lightning. The Vipers looked to reigning Player of the Week, Cole Sears, between the pipes, while the Lightning countered with Taylor McLaughlin.

Red Deer jumped out to an early lead just 1:34 into the opening period. Off a faceoff in the right circle, the puck found the stick of Drew Joslin who quickly threw a shot on net that eluded the Stettler netminder for the 1-0 lead. The Vipers continued to pressure the Lighting all period and were awarded their second goal of the night with five minutes to play in the period. From the right point, Connor Veroba threw a shot on net that was deflected by Dustin Spearing through the legs of McLaughlin to stretch the Vipers lead to 2-0. The home side found one more marker before the end of the frame as Joslin scored his second of the night from the left circle off an odd man rush. Red Deer would take their 3-0 lead into the first intermission.

Tye Munro found the Vipers fourth marker of the game eight minutes into the middle period as he burst down the right boards and tucked one past McLaughlin for the 4-0 advantage. Red Deer would strike again with five minutes to go in the period as Nick Glackin and Matt Krusky broke in on a two-on-one shorthanded rush. From the right side, Krusky feathered a pass over to Glackin who quickly rifled a shot past the Lightning netminder for the home side’s fifth goal of the game. The second period ended with the Vipers leading 5-0.

Red Deer collected their sixth goal five minutes into the final frame as Jonathan Finnigan ripped a one timer from the point past the glove of McLaughlin on the powerplay. Kale Lapointe would add another powerplay goal for Red Deer before the end of the game as the home side cruised to victory. Vipers 7 Lightning 0.

Red Deer outshot Stettler 42-16.

The Vipers will conclude their portion of the regular season on Saturday, February 6^th when they welcome the Ponoka Stampeders to the Red Deer Arena. Game time is set for 8:00 PM.