VIPERS WIN THRILLER OVER STAMPEDERS

VIPERS WIN THRILLER OVER STAMPEDERS

Red Deer scores seven unanswered goals in 7-5 victory over Ponoka.

For Immediate Release

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Red Deer, AB – On a Sunday night at the Red Deer Arena, the Red Deer Vipers welcomed the Ponoka Stampeders for a Heritage Junior Hockey League Northern Division matchup. The Vipers gave Mack Patchett the start in net, while the Stampeders looked to Lanny Blitt.

Ponoka notched the games opening tally 2:05 into the opening frame on the man advantage as forward Cody Lemon collected a loose rebound in front of Patchett and deposited it into the empty cage for the early 1-0 lead. Red Deer looked to respond minutes later as Kale Lapointe broke down the right wing and fed a cross-crease pass through to Dustin Spearing for tap in, but Blitt stretched out with the right pad to deny the scoring play. The save proved crucial as the Stampeders found their second of the night shorthanded just before the halfway mark. After a turnover in the Vipers’ offensive zone, Ponoka forward Jordan Wombold broke in down the left wing and fired a shot that eluded the glove of Patchett for the 2-0 advantage. The Stampeders continued to press and found a third marker with seven minutes to play as Austin Hanger converted on a rebound in the Red Deer crease. After Ponoka’s third goal, Rylan Bardick replaced Patchett between the Vipers’ pipes. The first period ended with another Stampeders goal courtesy of James Jansen, as they took a commanding 4-0 lead into the dressing rooms.

The Vipers looked to respond early into the middle frame, but it would be Ponoka scoring the opening goal of the middle stanza. After a turnover in the Red Deer end, Hanger corralled the puck in the slot and fired a shot past the outstretched blocker of Bardick for the 5-0 lead. The Vipers would finally crack Blitt on the man advantage minutes later. From the right point, Captain Conner Veroba threaded a pass through to Dustin Spearing on the right side who quickly put the puck in the back of the net. Red Deer continued to press, and were rewarded with their second goal with four minutes left in the period. After an awkward play in front of the Stampeders’ net, Vipers’ forward Drew Joslin jumped on a loose rebound in the blue paint and slotted it into the vacant net. Only seconds after, Red Deer scored their third goal of the period as Matt Krusky set up Nick Glackin in the slot, who one-timed the puck through the five-hole of Blitt to make it a 5-3 game. The Vipers onslaught continued, as the home team scored their third goal in the span of two minutes. Winger Tye Munro burst down the right side and rifled a shot off the crossbar and past Blitt to bring Red Deer within one. The end of the second period saw Ponoka hold on to a narrow 5-4 lead going into the final frame.

The Vipers completed the five goal comeback within the opening minutes of the final period as Declan Johnston potted the home sides fifth marker. From the left boards, Matt Krusky fed a pass through to Nick Glackin in the slot, who found Johnston to the right of the crease, who finished off the tic-tac-toe passing play for the highlight reel goal. Red Deer continued to dominate the play, and took their first lead of the game with just over 10 minutes left in the game as Krusky broke in alone on Blitt and roofed the backhand over the outstretched mitt of the Stampeders’ goaltender to give the Vipers a 6-5 advantage. Anthony Neurauter grabbed another goal for Red Deer, while Bardick shut the door the rest of the way with several point blank saves as the Vipers held on for the comeback victory. Vipers 7 Stampeders 5.

Red Deer outshot Ponoka 51-36.

The Vipers next action will come on Friday, November 20^th when they travel to Stettler to take on the Lightning. Red Deer will then return home the following day, Saturday November 21^st when they welcome the Strathmore Kings to the Red Deer Arena. 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.