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PHOTOS: Breckenridge Vipers remain undefeated with win over the Mansfield Barracudas 

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Cody Jones

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Cody Jones/Summit Daily News
The Breckenridge Vipers and the Mansfield Barracudas face off at Stephen C. West Ice Arena in Breckenridge on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. The Vipers earned its fifth win on the season with a 7-1 victory.
Cody Jones/Summit Daily News

The Breckenridge Vipers have started off the 2024-25 season extremely strong.

After opening the season with two road wins against the Sin City Kings, the Vipers hosted the Park City Silver Kings for a series of two games last week. In those two games, the Vipers were nothing short of dominant. The Vipers won the first game 9-0 before returning to the ice the next night to earn a 13-6 win.

With a record of 4-0, the Vipers looked to remain undefeated by facing the Mansfield Barracudas on Friday, Nov. 22, at Stephen C. West Ice Arena in Breckenridge. 

Although it took a while for the Vipers to show why they are averaging 11 goals per game, the team’s rollicking offense eventually shined through on the ice.

Within the first seven minutes of the first period, the Vipers put five shots on goal to the Barracudas’  three. After slicing pucks into the Mansfield goalie — Josh Messick— Andrew Monesi scored a power play goal for the Vipers to put the team up 1-0.

The early goal seemed to pulse energy into Mansfield, resulting in a game-tying goal due to miscommunication among the Breckenridge defense. It was not long before the Vipers reclaimed the lead, though. This time, Dan Autenreith sent a shot past Messick to give the Vipers a 2-1 lead.

After heading into the first intermission with a one goal lead, the Vipers extended its lead in the second period. Eight minutes into the fresh period, Monesi skated through the Barracudas’ defense and fired a shot into the back of the net for his second goal of the night.

With a two-goal cushion, the Vipers clamped down on offense. After several minutes of skating up and down the ice, Joe Day showed he can fight and score, netting the Vipers’ fourth goal. In the waning moments of the period, the Vipers took advantage of Messick breaking his stick and being out of position, rushing towards the net to take a 5-1 lead. 

Cody Jones/Summit Daily News
Joe Day dances with a Mansfield Barracudas’ player prior to a fight during the Vipers home game on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024.
Cody Jones/Summit Daily News

On the cusp of a fifth win, Breckenridge sealed the game in the final period. Despite occupying the penalty box for several minutes to begin the third frame, the Vipers kept the Barracudas from scoring a second goal.

Once the Vipers regrouped, Garret Bailey put a goal behind Messick to give the team a 6-1 lead. The Vipers then closed out the game by scoring an additional goal. Breckenridge advanced to 5-0 overall with a 7-1 win.

The Vipers faced off against the Barracudas again on Saturday, Nov. 23. Barring a win, the team is now 6-0 overall on the season. The Vipers will now prepare to host the Sin City Kings in Breckenridge from Dec. 6-7. To purchase tickets, visit Linktr.ee/breckvipers.

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