The Red Deer Vipers weren’t slowed down by the Christmas break.
They scored a thrilling 5-4 overtime win over the Stettler Lightning in Heritage Junior B Hockey League action Saturday.
Stettler opened up a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes, with goals from Jonathan Fournier, Jeff Ternes and Erik Rost. Justin Paarup had the Vipers’ tally.
Mack Differenz brought the Vipers within a goal in the second and Keaton Sawicki notched the equalizer short-handed early in the third.
Ethan Rost pushed the Lightning ahead with four minutes left in the third but Paarup scored 35 seconds later to tie the game at four.
Paarup buried his hat-trick goal late in overtime to secure the victory.
Justin Travis made 20 saves in the win for the Vipers.
Former Lethbridge Hurricanes forward and Red Deer Minor Hockey product Ryan Vandervlis also played his first game for the Vipers.
Representing the Vipers for the North All Star Team #HJHLAllStarGame pic.twitter.com/BQjuPL02R2
— Red Deer Vipers (@RedDeerVipers) January 6, 2019
Sunday, three Vipers played for Team North in the HJHL All-Star Game.
Defenceman Brody Kalinowski, Differenz and Aidan Wilson suited up for the contest in Airdrie.
Team South beat Team North 5-4 in a shootout.
Email sports tips to Byron Hackett
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