VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Vipers squirts couldn’t keep up with the fast paced Fargo Angels in Fargo Friday night and, for the first time all season, didn’t notch a goal. They would fall 0-8. Goaltender Tyler Olsen would turn away 30 shots.
There would be a quick turn around as West Fargo Stampede Black, who boasted a perfect 20-0 record, came to VC Saturday morning. In a tight game, after being down 2-0, Kayson Ziemba was able to get the Vipers on the board two minutes into the third period but the Stampede were able to fend off a late Viper push and win 1-2. The Vipers would force 18 shots on goal and Olsen would finish with 25 saves.
In another tight one the Vipers would get an overtime win in the Saturday matinee vs WF Stampede Yellow. After a scoreless first period, Brody Kalbrener would put the Vipers up 1-0 in the second but WF would answer 31 seconds into the third to tie it up. Seven minutes later Colton Gerlach would notch a goal only to be answered by WF a minute later and regulation would end 2-2. Beck Dietrich’s first goal of the season would be a big one as he’d light the lamp seven minutes into overtime to end the game 3-2 (assist Kalbrener). Olsen would finish with 20 saves.
The offense would come alive Sunday afternoon when the Vipers would score the first six goals in a 6-1 win vs. the MayPort Ice Dawgs. Gray Kasowski and would have his hands in every goal and Kaleb Hayes would notch two goals in the win (one assisted by Kasowski/Kalbrener and one assisted by Kasowski/Dietrich). Kasowski would finish with three goals (all assisted by Kalbrener) and three assists. Kalbrener would finish with a goal (assist Kasowski) and four assists. The Ice Dawgs would score with 40 seconds left in the game to ruin Olsen’s shutout – he’d finish with 12 saves.
The Vipers are now 10-9 on the season and will head to Fargo, Bismarck and Mandan for three more next weekend.