Spiders Down The Jets 3-2

Feb. 13, 2011

The game started as most other games with the Spiders. Most of us are aware of the “Stop” sign on the back of the youth hockey jerseys and it seems the Spiders are marked by the target affixed to the middle of their back. Being in first place, tied with the Piranhas with a game in hand, has put each game as a must win for the remainder of the season to retain the first place status.

The Spiders faced off against the Jets at Richfield 2 coming off of a two-week break. The “Speed and Youth” line of Bedessem (personal leave), Hilden (personal leave) and Butalla (internal disturbance) were absent and called up were enforcer Jack Delsing, Tim Forcelle, and fresh from the IR, Bob Harnett.

The Jets started off with the afterburners on in full force and the two-week break seemed to be weighing more heavily on the shoulders of Spiders. After a mid-period goal and a fluky bounce off of Dow’s stick, the Spiders found themselves down 2-0. Dow had seen 10 shots on goal when Delsing, fresh out of the penalty box, drove to the net. With a Jet hanging on each shoulder and the referee’s arm in the air for a penalty, Jack was able to power to the net and bury a five-hole goal to cut the deficit in half. When the horn sounded, the high-flying Jets were starting to run low on fuel.

Rousing speeches from Schliesman and Cagle demanded shorter shifts. Their captain expertise was keenly aware of the fact that the tables had begun to shift and could continue to turn to the Spiders’ favor with some steady pressure. The Spiders came out strong and Dow was solid in the net during the first half of the second period as the shots were peppering the Jets’ goalie. Even with two Jets players falling to injury and the goalie taking a point-blank shot from Cagle right off the noggin, it took a mistake by the Jets goalie to pull the home team into a 2-2 tie. Doug Thorson intercepted an errant pass from the goalie and unselfishly fed it to Schliesman to be powered into the corner amid the sprawling defense.

Third period was more of the same from the second. The Jets amassed 9 more shots in the period; however, most came in three major rushes. The defense held strong and the offense was able to provide the game-winning goal with 11 minutes remaining. The GWG was brought about when Jim Miaetta was on the unique receiving end of a penalty and held his composure. One minute later, Thorson was then pulled down on a break out. Not to enjoy the gift of a 5-on-3 for too long, Lindsley had to be tagged with a phantom interference call. The pressure was put on strong during the 4-on-3 and as the noose began to tighten, the defensive bodies were sprawled in front of the Jets goal when Schliesman finally slapped in the final score. The goal was marked as an even-strength goal and the remainder of the period was dominated by the box and one defensive scheme. Pressure was sporadic on both ends with Dow making one critical save with less than one minute to go. The team was able to kill of the remaining 13 minutes of the game to ground the Jets and keep their game in hand and the tie with the Fighting Piranhas who even the rankings at 20 points.

Jets captain Chicky Stimac was heard following the game expressing anger at his team for only playing one period. It appeared though that the Spiders were able to control the tempo and slowly took over the game, providing a Spider-like victory with solid goaltending, defense and steady offensive pressure. It was the fifth time this season the Spiders won by a one-goal margin.

It’s said that defense wins championships. If that is the case, then the Spiders could be well on their way. It will take consistent and solid efforts on both ends of the ice as demonstrated at Richfield 2 on Sunday.

The Spiders seek to continue their winning ways at the Coliseum next Sunday against the shifty Roadrunners.

Attendance: 12