Nathan Savage scored a hat trick for the LaSalle Vipers, but the Chatham Maroons stumped them 5-4 in overtime Sunday night at Chatham Memorial Arena.
The Maroons pulled closer to the Vipers at the top of the GOJHL Western Conference standings, now just five points off the pace with 71 points.
Austin Thompson scored twice for the Maroons in the first period. His first goal, on the power play, opened the scoring almost three and a half minutes into the game. The Vipers' Nathan Savage tied the game up with a power play score of his own. Soon after, Thompson picked up his second goal of the game and Noah Bushnell made the score 3-1 Chatham with just a second left in opening frame.
The Vipers pulled within one with the only goal scored in the second period. Savage scored his second of the game, also on the power play. He completed the hat trick after the second intermission with all three of his goals on the power play, tying the game at three apiece.
Alec Mackenzie scored later in the period to give the Maroons the lead once again at 4-3. However, Cale Allen's goal tied the game up again for LaSalle and forced the overtime period. Brendan D'Agostino scored the game winner at 1:23 in the extra stanza.
Brendan Johnston was the winner in goal for the Maroons with 27 saves. Eli Billing had 35 stops in the losing effort for the Vipers.
The Maroons travel to Sarnia Thursday to face the Legionnaires. The puck drops at 7:10pm and the game can be heard on CFCO Country 92.9FM/AM 630. LaSalle will host St. Marys on Wednesday night.
