Vipers strike early in IJHL final

The Maniacs’ Colby Bruce with the first goal to tie it up in the first period on Vipers’ goalie Logan Reid. S. RYAN QUIGLEY / Journal Pioneer

Kensington Vipers strike first in IJHL final

S. RYAN QUIGLEY
JOURNAL PIONEER

KENSINGTON- Alex Noonan scored the winner in the second overtime letting the Kensington Vipers strike first to take a 1-0 series lead in the Mark’s Work Warehouse Island Junior Hockey League final over the Down East Maniacs 3-2 Thursday night at the Community Garden in Kensington.
The game saw a back and forth battle between the two teams that lasted two overtimes and a total of 96 shots combined between the two teams.
Logan Reid got the win for Kensington making 42 saves while his counterpart Travis Willis made 49.
The Vipers were lead by Thomas McSweeney with a goal and an assist while the Maniacs were lead by Tyler Clair and Colby Bruce with a goal and assist respectively. Maniac’s coach Harry VanDenBroek said he was happy with the performace his team gave coming off their series victory last night against Sherwood.
“They worked as a team, they worked good right from the first second to the last second.”
He said that they’re going to be better and stick to the game plan in game two.
“Play Maniac hockey.”
Vipers head coach Wade Waddell said both teams played well and at that stage in the game it’s just luck.
“We got the last bounce, it’s as simple as that.”
There wasn’t anything magic said before the second overtime and that they should just get pucks to the net, said Waddell.
“I expect them to be as good and probably a little bit better next game. I think the fans are going to get treated to a good series here.”
The first period saw Kensington jump out to a 1-0 lead 14:11 in, with McSweeney scoring off the rebound from Cameron Webster’s shot with Michael Ramsay getting the other assist.
In the second Bruce made a move to beat Vipers goaltender Logan Reid to tie the game up at one at 7:44, with assists from Clair and Kayleb Lazaric to notch the only goal in the frame. The Vipers got 15 shots on goal while the Maniacs got 10.
In the third period the Maniacs hit the net first with Clair scoring this time while Lazaric and Bruce got the assists giving the line it’s second goal of the night at 7:00.
Then 10:56 into the third John Ryan Francis gave the momentum back to the Vipers with helpers from Brett Hogan and McSweeney.
The period ended with each team getting 15 shots at piece, setting up for overtime.
After a scoreless overtime with the two combatants matching each other in shots, the second overtime gave way to a clutch goal by Noonan with the overtime winner, 8:16 in.