News

The LaSalle Vipers lost their second contest in as many nights, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Sarnia Legionnaires Sunday night.

Vipers forward Nathan Savage scored unassisted at 6:44 of the third period, capitalizing on an Andrew Masters puck handling miscue behind the Sarnia net.

However, that would be the only blemish on the Legionnaires netminder's night, as he stopped 34 shots to pick up the victory.

Masters was especially strong in a first period that saw the Vipers carry the play, but come up empty for their efforts, as well as late in the contest with the Vipers pressing for the tying goal.

Ryan Vendramin put the Legionnaires up 2-1 late in the third period, rifling home a flukey deflection in front of the Vipers net.

The Vipers appeared to have scored in the final minutes to tie the game, but the officials deemed the puck did not cross the line.

In the dying seconds, there was a skirmish in the Vipers offensive zone but no penalties were handed out. However, several seconds appeared to tick off the clock after the whistle had gone while the officials were sorting things out. 

Then, while a referee was explaining the decision to the Vipers bench, two more seconds came off the clock, leaving the Vipers just 4 seconds to attempt to even up the game.

It was ultimately not enough time, despite LaSalle's best effort to find the equalizer.

The loss dropped the Vipers a game back of the Legionnaires, who now lead the best-of-seven series two games to one.

Game 4 is Wednesday night in LaSalle. Puck drop is schedule for 7 pm