VIPERS SKATE PAST THUNDER IN OT

VIPERS SKATE PAST THUNDER IN OT

Dustin Spearing scores twice in Red Deer’s 5-4 overtime win over Airdrie.

For Immediate Release

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Red Deer, AB – On a Saturday night at the Red Deer Arena, the Red Deer Vipers welcomed the Airdrie Thunder in a key Heritage Junior Hockey League Northern Division matchup. The Vipers gave Rylan Bardick the start in net, while the Thunder looked to Kade Taplin. 

Red Deer jumped out to the early 1-0 lead less than five minutes into the opening period. From the point, Tyson Maton through a shot on goal that was re-directed by Nick Glackin that eluded Taplin to give the home side the quick advantage. The Vipers looked to then stretch their lead to two just past the halfway mark of the frame as Dustin Spearing broke in all alone, but found this shot turned aside by the Thunder netminder. Airdrie looked to respond with the tying marker near the end of the period as Lukas Pollock found himself alone in front of the Red Deer net, but saw his one timer snagged out of the air by Bardick for the highlight reel save. Mack Patchett would replace Bardick in the Vipers net after the save. After 20 minutes, the Vipers led 1-0.

The home team found their second goal of the game five minutes into the middle frame as Spearing walked into the slot and picked the top right corner for the 2-0 advantage. Spearing then continued his goal scoring form as he converted on a rebound off the back end boards with 10 minutes to play to give the Vipers a 3-0 lead. Red Deer’s lead would be short lived as the Thunder stormed back with three goals in the second half of the period. First, Brandon Millard converted on a two-on-one break before Dylan Mccuaig slotted a loose rebound through the legs of Patchett. Finally, Tyler Perkins slid the puck through the five hole of the Vipers’ netminder on the partial breakway to draw the game 3-3. The 3- 3 score line would remain as the teams headed into the second intermission.

The Vipers would regain the lead just over a minute into the final period as Colton Weseen converted on a spin-o-rama backhand shot from the slot that eluded the outstretched blocker of Taplin for the 4-3 edge. The Thunder responded only minutes later to tie the game again as Perkins broke in alone and put a shot past the blocker of Patchett. Just past the halfway mark of the period, the Vipers appeared to have scored the go ahead tally as Jonathan Finnigan fired one past Taplin on the powerplay, but it was quickly called back to due to goaltender interference. Airdrie then responded with an opportunity of their own to take the lead with four minutes to play as Parker Georgsen was left alone in the slot, but found his shot turned outside by a quick right pad save by Patchett. The game remained tied 4-4 after regulation, as the teams headed to overtime.  

In the extra frame, Vipers’ forward Kale Lapointe broke down the left wing and fired a shot on net that Taplin stopped, but Matt Krusky followed up the play and slotted the rebound past the Thunder netminder for the overtime winner. Vipers 5 Thunder 4.

Red Deer outshot Airdrie 35-28.

The Vipers will now travel north to face the Ponoka Stampeders on Wednesday, December 9^th before returning to the Red Deer Arena on Saturday, December 12^th for a matchup with the Stettler Lightning. 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.