The Estevan peewee AA Vipers fought back from a one goal deficit to earn a 4-1 win over the Melville Parkland Fire at the Civic Auditorium on Saturday.
“It was fun,” said Vipers winger Caydence Chapman. “We just had to skate harder and work and pass more to get it out of our end.”
The Fire (3-12-1) came out of the gate flying pressuring the Vipers in their own zone with Parkland’s Megan Hayhurst notching the first good opportunity to score four minutes into the game. The speedy winger picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone and skated in on a breakaway, but Estevan goalie Chloe Sorenson was up to the task stoning Hayhurst in close with her pad.
The Vipers took control of the play after the initial Fire rush outshooting their opponents 21-14 through the opening frame. The home side kept up the momentum through the first half of the second period continually peppering Fire goaltender Phoenix Preston-Winder, including a great chance off a one-timer in close by Emmy Rae five minutes into the stanza, but the Melville keeper refused to let anything get by her.
Hayhurst helped the Fire get on the board first 14:20 into the middle period saucing a pass into the slot for Sharlyze Cotton who blasted it far side on Sorenson. Vipers defenceman Kiley Davis replied back a little over two-and-a-half minutes later breaking up a Hayhurst rush in the Estevan zone before driving the puck back into the Fire end and wiring a shot five hole on Preston-Winder.
“We wanted to get on top and we wanted to win,” said Davis. “So everyone worked their hardest to get another goal.”
Chapman gave the Vipers the lead 5:18 into the third period deflecting a Jaycey Farr point shot into the Fire net. Morgan Kjersem notched the insurance marker a little under seven minutes later with Hannah Terrett potting the fourth and final Vipers goal with 18 seconds remaining.
The Vipers (9-4-2) now have a week-and-a-half off until their next South Saskatchewan Female Hockey League (SSFHL) regular season game against the Weyburn Young Fellow Gold Wings (3-10-1) on Feb. 4. Chapman noted their game against the Fire showed the club what they have to do to continue their success.
“Skate,” she said. “Get our passes on the tape and just skate better.”
