After no scoring in the first period, Detroit got on the board with Dale Rominski's first professional goal from Andy Bezeau 10 seconds into the 2nd period. Then, Detroit went up 2-0 on an unassisted Alek Stojanov goal at 16:50.
Detroit led 2-0 after two periods of play.
In the third, Detroit's Steve Walker scored his first goal of the year from Mike McBain and Jeff Shevalier 22 seconds into the frame. Corey Spring made it 4-0 Vipers from Stojanov and Xavier Delisle at 9:45.
Manitoba got on the board with a 5-3 goal from Eric Veillux (2nd of the year) from Lonny Bohonos and Brett Hauer. Manitoba cut into the lead more with a Jimmy Roy power play goal from Bohonos and Veilleux at 13:47 to make it 4-2 Vipers.
Paul Mara capped the scoring with a power play goal, his first as a Viper at 17:45 of the third and seal the deal at 5-2 Vipers. His goal came courtesy of Shevalier and Walker.
With the win, the Vipers are now 1-0 vs. the Western Conference and 1-1 vs. the Eastern Conference.