CHATHAM –  Two-goal performances by Kory Silverio and A.J. Ryan, plus 29-saves in net from Will Tragge combined to give the LaSalle Vipers a 5-2 road win over the Chatham Maroons Sunday.

The back-to-back strong outings by Tragge won praise from head coach John Nelson.

“We are real happy with the addition of Will Tragge to our lineup,” said Nelson. “His rebound control has been unbelievable.”

With Tragge taking away a lot of second-chance scoring threats, you can see the “calming influence” on everybody during the game, Nelson said.

“I thought we were excellent in our own zone tonight,” said Nelson. You can find things to improve on, but the decision-making by the defence was good in this game, he said.

And the offence got praise as well.

“A.J. had an awesome game today,” Nelson said.. The coaches have been working with Ryan to improve his “200-foot game” and “he’s really trying.”

In Silverio, the coaches are already agreed “he’s one of the best 200-foot players in the league,” Nelson said.

The Vipers never trailed, taking a 1-0 lead in the first period on Silverio’s first goal, assisted by defence man Dylan Robinson.

The Maroons tied it up late in the second period, but Cody Schneider got that goal back just 17 seconds later, assisted by Stephane Crevier and Zane Dalpe.

Silverio scored early in the third to give the Vipers a 3-1 lead, with assists from Ryan and Aaron Shaw. Ryan’s unassisted goal on a power play pushed the lead to 4-1.

The Maroons closed the gap with a goal with just over five minutes left. But Ryan closed the door with an empty net goal with the Vipers shorthanded. Silverio got an assist on the goal.

Tragge stopped 29 of 31 shots. The Vipers were 1 for 5 on power play chances, but killed off all five Chatham power plays. LaSalle outshot Chatham 35-31. – Gary Rennie