KENSINGTON – The Eastern Maniacs staged a third-period rally to upend the Kensington Moase Plumbing and Heating Vipers on Sunday night.
The Souris-based Maniacs scored four unanswered goals in the final 20 minutes to turn a 3-1 deficit after two periods into a 5-3 road win in the Island Junior Hockey League.
It was a costly loss for the Vipers, who fell to 7-7-0 (won-lost-overtime losses) and could have moved into a second-place tie with the Sherwood-Parkdale A&S Scrap Metal Metros (9-7-1) with a win. Kensington remains five points back of the league-leading Arsenault’s Fish Mart Western Red Wings (10-5-2) as the two teams will meet in a home-and-home series in Abram-Village on Boxing Day at 2 p.m., and in Kensington on Dec. 29 at 7:30 p.m.
Duffy makes 44 saves
At Community Gardens, Cam Duffy turned in a 44-save performance for the Maniacs, who were outshot 47-29.
Tyler Rose scored two goals and added an assist to lead the Maniacs (4-10-1). Eddie Jenkins (1-1), Blake Jamieson (1-1) and Cole Jenkins also dented the twine while other helpers went to Mike MacGregor (2), Curtis MacGregor, Alex Gallant and Zach Kennific.
Riley Gallant (1-2), Logan Vandervelden and Easton Smith answered for the Vipers. Ryan McKenna added a single helper.
The teams were tied 1-1 after the first period, and Caelan Ferguson tended goal for Kensington.
The Vipers will travel to Souris to take on the Maniacs on Friday at 8 p.m.