The Vipers jumped out to a 2-0 lead before the game was three minutes old, and went on to an 8-1 decision over the Montague Maniacs before 381 fans at Community Gardens. Game 4 is in Montague on Tuesday at 8 p.m., with Game 5 back at the Gardens on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Tyler Doyle (2-1), Isaac Jay (2), Kyle Doucette (1-3), Jordan Mayhew (1-2), Tanner McGuigan and Brett Hogan scored for the Vipers. Mitch Gallant (2), Logan Garnhum, Spencer Montgomery and Drew Coulson assisted.
Matt Myers, assisted by Kayleb Lazaric, netted the lone Montague goal.
The Vipers jumped out to a 4-0 lead after one period, and increased that margin to 6-1 following 40 minutes.
Logan Reid turned in a 29-save performance in picking up the goaltending win. Montague starter Alex Micalef gave up four goals on 18 first-period shots. Daniel Nicholson stopped 23 of 27 shots over the final two periods.
Referee Thane Arsenault called a total of seven minors in the game – four of those against Montague, which also picked up one 10-minute misconduct.
