Reid, who also contributed offensively by earning an assist, finished with 44 saves to backstop the Vipers to a 3-1 win over the Arsenault’s Fish Mart Western Red Wings on Friday night.
The opening game of the best-of-seven championship series in the Island Junior Hockey League was played before 552-paid fans at Community Gardens. Game 2 is at the Evangeline Recreation Centre on Sunday at 7 p.m. The teams will then play Games 3 and 4 back-to-back next weekend – in Kensington on Friday, March 29, and in Abram-Village on Saturday, March 30.
Three scorers
Adam Wight led the Vipers’ offence in the series opener, scoring once and assisting on another. Kyle Doucette and Brett Hogan added single markers while other assists were credited to Jordan Mayhew, Isaac Jay, Kendall Costello and Tyler Doyle.
TJ Campbell, assisted by Tyler Clair and Jeremy Balderston, netted the lone Red Wings’ goal.
The Vipers led 2-0 after the first and second periods.
Overall, the Red Wings held a 45-42 shots-on-goal advantage. Reid made 23 of those saves in the third period, when the Vipers ran into penalty trouble – five minors and one checking-to-the-head major – and were outshot 24-14. Chris Gallant was between the pipes for the Red Wings.
Along with the major to Kensington, referee Mike Annear called seven minors and one 10-minute misconduct against each team.
