VIPERS FALL SHORT TO WRANGLERS

VIPERS FALL SHORT TO WRANGLERS

Colton Weseen scores twice in Red Deer’s 4-3 loss to Blackfalds.

For Immediate Release

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Red Deer, AB – During a Saturday night at the Red Deer Arena, the Red Deer Vipers welcomed the Division rival the Blackfalds Wranglers in the team’s final game before the Christmas break. The Vipers started Mack Patchett in net, while the Wranglers looked to Nicolas Herrebrugh.

It was a tentative start to the game as both teams bunkered down into a defensive style of play. The best scoring chance of the opening frame came just past the halfway mark of the period as Vipers’ forward Colten Weseen corralled a loose puck in front of the Wranglers’ net, but found his backhand hit the crossbar and bounce back into play. The end of the period saw several penalties called to both sides, with Blackfalds receiving a five-on-three man advantage for the remainder of the period, but found their shot attempts turned aside easily by Patchett. The teams headed into the first intermission scoreless.

The game finally saw its opening marker 5:12 into the second period, but it would be the visitors to score it. On the powerplay, Spencer Otto threw a puck on net from the point that Jeff Boese got a stick on to deflect past Patchett for the 1-0 lead. Blackfalds continued to press for a second tally, but Patchett was once again strong between Vipers’ pipes to keep it a one goal game. The play of Red Deer’s goaltender paid off, as the home team tied the game with seven minutes to play in the period. On a two-on-one break, Weseen burst down the right wing and sniped a shot off the post past the outstretched glove of Herrebrugh to tie the game up 1-1. The tie would only stand for a few minutes, as Blackfalds regained the lead with 35 seconds to play in the period. On the man advantage, Eric Moltzahn put a shot on net that found its way past Patchett to give the Wranglers a 2-1 lead going into the final period of play.
          
Blackfalds would score their third powerplay goal of the game 15 seconds into the third period as Wally Samson walked untouched to the Vipers’ net and tucked a shot past the blocker of Patchett for the 3-1 lead. Shortly after the Wranglers’ third goal, Red Deer’s Jonthan Finnigan dropped the gloves with ex-Viper Curtis Rangen in a tilt that saw Finnigan land several shots before scoring the takedown. The momentum continued to stay with Blackfalds as their fourth came shortly after the fight when Boese collected a puck in tight before making a deke around Patchett to push their lead to 4-1. The Vipers would make a game of it as they scored their second of the night on the powerplay just before the halfway mark of the period. From behind the net, Matt Krusky centered the puck to Weseen in the slot who quickly buried it between the legs of Herrebrough to cut the lead to 4-2. Red Deer continued to press for the equalizing markers and with 1:37 left and the goaltender pulled, scored their third as Nick Glackin buried a one timer from the slot. With the goaltender pulled once again, the Vipers pushed for the tying marker, but couldn’t find it as the Wranglers held on for the one goal victory. Wranglers 4 Vipers 3.

Blackfalds outshot Red Deer 35-27.

The Vipers will return from the Christmas Break on Sunday, January 3rd when they travel to Airdrie to play the Thunder. Red Deer will then return home on Saturday, January 9th when the Coaldale Copperheards come to town. Puck drop is set for 8:00 PM at the Red Deer Arena.

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