This one wasn’t as easy for the Whipsnakes if the final score was any indication; and yet, once again the defending champions made a case for being the most dominant team in the PLL.

Much like Thursday night against Atlas, the Whipsnakes opened an early read, jumping ahead 3-0 in their 12-7 victory against Chaos on Friday night.

Even in a tighter, more competitive contest than it was a night ago, it felt like the Whipsnakes were in control all along.

Zed Williams notched a first-half hat trick and four goals total, and Joe Nardella held an 84 percent faceoff percentage in victory, including a perfect first-quarter percentage, in what’s starting to look like an MVP type of tournament.

Breakdown

If Thursday was about offensive versatility for the Whipsnakes, Friday was about the emergence of superstars.

Williams has never played a PLL game without recording at least a hat trick, and he did that in the first half alone against Chaos. 

The Whipsnakes went ahead 3-0 early before Chaos attempted to carve into that lead, starting with a tally from Curtis Dickson to make it a two-goal game. Josh Byrne and Dickson netted goals early in the second quarter to make it a 4-4 game,

Then, the Whipsnakes got going.

Williams accomplished his hat trick and the Whipsnakes opened an 11-7 lead by the fourth quarter, and while Chaos were always in the game, it never felt like they’d penetrate Whipsnakes goalie Kyle Bernlohr while the Whips’ kept scoring.

Mike Chanenchuk nailed a two-point tally to start the third quarter, which put the Whipsnakes up by three and by then they were in total control.

Following three turnovers to open the half, that response was exactly what they needed.

Not only did the Whipsnakes dominate at the faceoff dot to earn so many possessions, but they tripled up Chaos on ground balls, scored on their lone man advantage, and outshot Chaos 45-38.

Brad Smith put the Whipsnakes up by four once again to start the fourth quarter, becoming the seventh scorer of the night for their deep offense. Matt Rambo netted his third assist as he found Williams for his fourth goal to give the Whipsnakes their largest lead at 12-7 late in the fourth.

Bernlohr continued his stellar tournament with 15 saves. His counterpart, Blaze Riorden, made 21 stops in defeat; his second consecutive contest of 20-plus saves.

Ramifications 

The Whipsnakes advanced to 3-0 as they moved to the top of the standings ahead of their Sunday contest with the Archers in a game for first place.

Chaos fell to 0-3 and will be looking to get their first win of the season in their final round-robin game against the Waterdogs on Saturday afternoon.