Connor Tucker broke open a 1-1 game with three goals in less than six minutes in the second period to lead the LaSalle Vipers to a 5-2 season opening win over the London Nationals.
"Definitely wasn't me by myself." said the 3rd year forward. "Couple of backdoor tap ins there. Patrick McManus gave me couple feeds backdoor. Tonin. Findlay. They all played great. Tre in net. He was huge. Made a lot of save there."
Tucker got things going at 6:35 of the second as Owen Findlay cut to the left side of the slot middle a let do a low wrister. London goal and Spits draft pick Carter Froggett made the initial save but Tucker was Johnny on the spot for the rebound. He went high blocker on his second and capped off his natural hat trick on a 5-3 Vipers advantage as McManus feathered a pass past two Nats defenders in the crease for the easy backdoor tap.
"We have big expectations of him this year." said head coach Chad Shepley. "After seeing what he did last year, he was one of our most improved players we're really expecting big things of him. Tonight with three goals his confidence is gonna be high so we're going to keep the train rolling."
Kyle Greene and McManus also scored for the Vipers while goaltender Tre Altiman stopped 35 of 37 shots including two highlight reel saves in the third to keep the Nats at bay. "With our new coach, new systems you know our team has come together." Altiman said. "It's been going great. Everyone loves the coaches, kinda creating a brotherhood kinda thing.
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