A slow start to Game Three for both teams. Lots of back and forth action for both teams, however, there was still no score halfway through the period. With four and a half minutes remaining in the period, LaSalle’s Danny Skinner received a hooking penalty to put the Nationals on the power play. Unable to capitalize on the power play, both teams went into the second period scoreless but the Nationals dominated the shot count 20-2.
The Nationals came out strong in the second period eager to prove their dominance on the board. Just two minutes into the second period, LaSalle took another penalty to put the Nationals on the power play. London was unable to capitalize on the power play but maintained their pressure as Wes Dobbin tipped in James Turners shot just 10 seconds after the penalty expired to put them in the lead at 3:13. However, just a few minutes later, LaSalle was able to break into the Nationals zone with Gianluca Pizzuto tying up the score for the Vipers at 5:13. Pizzuto’s action didn’t stop there, just 30 seconds later he took his second penalty of the game to put the Nationals on the power play once more. This did not last long; good movement of the puck by London allowed for a great shot by Cal Davis to be tipped in by George Diaco to put them in the lead once more at 6:13. The Nationals got into some penalty trouble as well but were able to hold them off and keep the 2-1 lead going into the third.
Both teams came out strong in the third period, but after some controversial confrontations on the ice, London’s Adam Keyes ended up in the box with a two-minute minor for unsportsmanlike conduct and a 10-minute misconduct for Inciting an Opponent. The Nationals stayed strong on the penalty kill and were able to hold off the Vipers. Both teams got into more penalty trouble later in the period however, neither team was able to capitalize. A few great saves by the Nationals’ goalie Zack Springer at the end of the game sealed their second win of the series.
The Nationals will be playing at home next Wednesday, March 20th at 7 pm for Game Five.
