Detroit Vipers 5, Las Vegas Thunder 3

Thursday, Feb. 4, 1999 | 8:25 a.m.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich.--The Detroit Vipers (28-12-6) held on to first place in the tough Northeast Division by beating the Las Vegas Thunder 5-3 Thursday night at The Palace.

Four points separate the Vipers, second-place Cincinnati and third-place Orlando, all of whom won on Thursday. Blueliner Keith Aldridge wrapped up the win 25 seconds before the second intermission. John Emmons and Ian Herbers scored to give the Vipers a 2-0 lead that lasted through the first period. Peter Ciavaglia made the score 3-0 at 7:03 of the second, and Steve Walker capped the victory at 17:54 of the third, off Mike Prokopec's third assist of the game.

The Thunder (16-26-5), who had won a season-high seven straight coming into Thursday's game, seized the momentum briefly in the final period, getting goals from newcomer Pavel Evstigneev at 6:21 and Patrice Lefebvre at 10:50. Other than the late flurry, Vipers goalie Andrei Trefilov had a fairly slow night in goal, facing 21 shots and making 18 saves. Peter Franek started for the Thunder, stopping 16 of 19 before being replaced by Konstantin Simchuk 7:32 into the second period. Simchuk turned away 22 of 22 shots, and took the loss.