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.

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.