Viper Vault

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Two new line combinations paid dividends for the Vipers as they scored twice in the last 90 seconds to edge the Trail Smoke Eaters, 5-3.

With five Viper regulars sidelined, Jason Williamson placed Captain Patrick McGillis with Colton Cyr and Colton Sparrow. That combination clicked as McGillis scored twice in the third period.

_{Ryan-Renz (29) moves in on Clayton McEwan. Photo: Roger Tepper, Edge Photography}An even more productive unit saw Mike Zalewski paired with Adam Tambellini while Aaron Hadley provided hustle and bustle on the right wing. They combined for seven points, including two goals by Zalewski and a late winner by Tambellini.

The opening goal was a strange one. Zalewski's clear-in from the blue line came off the back boards and off the back of goalie James Andrea's leg. The goal enlivened a defensive struggle that ensued for much of the opening 20 minutes.

The Smokies equalized. The Vipers were hemming in the Smoke Eaters when a pair of miscues by Max Mowat and Marc Hetnik at the Trail blue line gave Brandon Long a clear breakaway. Long beat Kirby Halcrow with a nice deke on Trail's only scoring chance of the first period.

That scenario was repeated in the second period. Play opened up and a series of power plays led to more scoring chances, but just two goals were recorded.

Mike Zalewski again put the Vipers ahead when he took Adam Tambellini's precise pass on the backhand and beat D'Andrea with a forehand move from 10 feet.

Again, a Viper miscue allowed the Smoke Eaters to equalize. Ryan Renz handed the puck to Connor Tiechko in the low slot and Tiechko rifled in a 20-footer.

_{Aaron Hadley celebrates Zalewski's second goal. Photo:Roger Tepper, Edge Photography}Referee Ron Dietterle continued to call the game tight and finally each team scored on the power play in the third period. Patrick McGillis, who's rounding into form after missing 29 games, put the Vipers ahead at 10:33, but Brent Baltus's deflected point shot made the score 3-3 at 18:10.

However, 21 seconds later Adam Tambellini deferred to Mike Zalewski for an offensive zone faceoff and, after Zalewski drew the puck back, Tambellini's NHL-calibre snap shot went over D'Andrea's right shoulder.

Patrick McGillis added an empty netter at 19:13 after he outworked two Smoke Eaters at centre ice.

Out shot 40-17 in the game and 17-4 in the third period, the Smoke Eaters kept on hustling as they came back from three one-goal deficits. Indeed, they came close to taking the lead in the second. They were on the power play when Kirby Halcrow brilliantly saved Tanner Clarkson's brisk one-timer.

Jedd Soleway will return to action as the Vipers travel to Westside on Saturday. However, Luke Juha, Ben Gamache, Darren Nowick, and John Knisley remain sidelined with long-term injuries. In their stead, a line of 16-year-olds, Riley Hunt, Mike Roberts, and Cole Sanford, played well for the Vipers.

The Smoke Eaters have lost Adam Fares for the season. Shane Poulsen also missed with an injury.