Thunder hold off Vipers to take 2-1 series lead

AIRDRIE – Clay Murray and Rylan Plante-Crough each found the back of the net twice as the Airdrie Thunder took a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven North Division semifinal series with a 6-4 win over the Red Deer Vipers on Friday.

The Thunder held a commanding 5-1 lead with just over five minutes to go in regulation before the Vipers rattled off three unanswered in a span of 1:54 to make it a one-goal game with 3:10 remaining.

Airdrie would hang on as Murray sealed the deal with an empty netter with his second goal, and fourth point, of the evening.

Joel Lepper stopped 34-of-38 shots his way in the Thunder crease, while Jared Bainbridge and Connor Boyd each added a single to round out the scoring.

Tristyn Zarubiak had a pair of goals for the Vipers, while Mack Differnz and Logan Linnell each found the back of the net once.

Cole Sears was busy between the pipes, making 45 saves in the loss.

Game 4 of the series goes Saturday night in Red Deer. Action begins at 8:00pm.

GAME SUMMARY