ABRAM-VILLAGE, P.E.I. — The Arsenault’s Fish Mart Western Red Wings roared back in a big way Thursday night.
After spotting the visiting Kensington Moase Plumbing and Heating Vipers a 3-0 lead after one period, the Red Wings struck for four goals in the final 8:36 of the middle frame to take a 4-3 lead into the second intermission en route to a 5-4 victory.
The Boxing Day game between the two Island Junior Hockey League arch-rivals was played at the Evangeline Recreation Centre on Thursday night.
Team captain Chandler Wood scored two goals to lead the league-leading Red Wings, who improved to 14-1-2 (won-lost-overtime losses). Silas Handrahan added a goal and an assist while Isaac Knox, Brydon Smith and Isaac Callaghan were credited with two assists each.
Connor Morrissey and affiliated player Chandler DesRoches also found the back of the net for Western, which also received an assist from Thomas Rennie.
Dylan Wheatley had a goal and two assists to lead the Vipers (8-7-1). Ryan Richards (1-1), Nick Trainor (1-1) and CJ McCardle netted Kensington’s other goals while Jesse Jay (2) and Tyler Gallant earned assists.
Overall, the Red Wings outshot the Vipers 39-26. Luke Oliver was the winning goaltender and Ben Parent was between the pipes for the Vipers.
Five of the game’s eight minor penalties were called against the Vipers. The Red Wings were 0-for-2 on the power play and the Vipers did not have a man advantage in the game.
The teams will close out a home-and-home series at Credit Union Centre in Kensington on Sunday at 7 p.m.
