It required OT but, nevertheless, the St. Thomas Stars snapped a six-game losing skid Friday night with a 3-2 win over the visiting LaSalle Vipers.
The Stars twice took the lead at the Joe Thornton Community Centre only to have the Vipers pull even.
Trent Ballentyne – pictured at left – proved the hero with his third goal of the season at 3:26 of OT to give St. Thomas a well-deserved victory.
The game opened on a positive note when Tristen Roberts found the net less than three minutes after the opening puck drop.
Patrick McManus knotted the game before the end of the first period.
Mathieu Paris netted his 8th of the season midway through the middle frame to restore the St. Thomas lead, which survived until the five-minute mark of the third period when Nic Pavia tied it up.
Tyler Roberts got the start in net for the Stars and picked up his fifth win in 10 games.
The result lifts St. Thomas back into seventh place in the GOJHL Western Conference with 18 points, one up on Strathroy.
The Rockets host Chatham tonight and then the Stars head down the 401 for a Sunday matinee with the Maroons. St. Thomas has won two of three games this season against Chatham.
You can catch all the action Sunday right here on myFM with Chris Soares starting at 3:20 p.m.
