By Brady Sim

Vipers stymied by hot Colts goalie, playoff series now even

Feb 27, 2018 | 9:43 AM

Goalie Thomas Della-Siega was the no doubt first star Monday night as the Mountainview Colts rallied late to defeat the Red Deer Vipers 2-1 and tie their best-of-five HJHL playoff series at a game apiece.

Despite carrying the play for a good majority of the game and getting the vast majority of grade ‘A’ scoring chances, Red Deer could only solve the Colts’ netminder one time on the night. Red Deer didn’t hit the scoreboard until 2:56 of the second period when Bailey Lawson tipped in a shot from Dalton Angeltvedt.

The score remained 1-0 until 4:22 of the third period  With Josh Gette streaking in on a potential breakaway toward a loose puck – Vipers goaltender Cole Sears made a gamble that didn’t pay off. Sears raced out to knock the loose puck away from Gette, but lost the race, allowing Gette to step around Sears and put the puck into an open net. Red Deer would continue to get glorious scoring chances, but at every turn were stymied by Della-Siega.

With just under two minutes left, Logan Linnell of the Vipers got a breakaway but still couldn’t solve Mountainview’s goalie. With just 43 seconds left, it was again Gette who scored on a harmless looking shot five-hole to give the Colts a late 2-1 lead.

Red Deer pressed late with their net empty, but the Colts melted the seconds of the clock to steal one from the Vipers and tie the series.

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One of the more pressing questions through two games in the playoffs is to do with the Vipers power play. Seemingly unstoppable in the regular season – producing at more than 30 per cent – the Vipers are just 1-for-13 thus far in the post season, going 0-for-7 Monday night.

“Our power play was off, it was probably the first time we’ve seen it off in about three months.” Said Vipers bench boss JD Morrical. “They (Colts) were playing desperate, they held home ice. We have to make sure we do the same Wednesday.”

Game three will go Wednesday night at the Servus Arena in Red Deer with puck drop slated for 8:30 p.m. Game four will be played Friday night in Didsbury at 8:00 p.m.