With only pride on the line, Spiders deliver for fans in 1-1 draw against Ice Hogs

March 25, 2015

Richfield (AP) – The door swung open and Brian Dow stepped out of his vehicle. He opened the trunk, lugged his hulking bag of goalie equipment to the asphalt, and – with sticks clutched under his arm – trekked to the front entry of the Richfield Ice Arena. A typical scene before any Spiders game this year, except for the fact that the sun was shining (this was the only day game on the schedule) and the veteran goalie was flanked by not only his wife, but also his daughters.

Dow wasn’t the only player with multiple family members or friends in the audience on Saturday afternoon as the Spiders geared up for their match with the division leading Ice Hogs.

The stands were teeming with fans representing both teams. But as the Ice Hogs had clinched the division earlier this month about the same time the Spiders were officially eliminated from playoff contention there were no post-season implications riding on the outcome of this contest.

Pride would have to serve as the sole motivator. And that motivation did not disappoint any of the 30-plus spectators in attendance Saturday to watch the Spiders yield a 1-1 draw with the league’s best team.

Dow turned away 44 of 45 shots over the course of three periods and an overtime session in what the historical record indicates was his best performance to date at the B3 tier. And he accomplished that feat against a team that has dominated the division in nearly every measurable statistic (see game notes below).

The Ice Hogs’ (16-2-1) notched their lone goal with 1:22 left in the first period as E. Berman slid a quick wrister across the ice past an approaching defensemen and between the pipes.

After surviving an opening period where they were outshot 15-9, the Spiders (7-10-2) regrouped rather quickly and the flow of the game began to shift in their favor.

A bevy of scoring chances against Ice Hogs “super sub” goaltender Brian Cherney finally translated to a goal when Cory Vandenberghe connected on a pass from Matt Adelmann at 6:41 of the second period (also assisted by Mike Townsend).

Those with a more limited omniscience might have left the game knowing only that the score would hold up. But this hard-fought battle between two seemingly evenly-matched teams entertained fans well into the final stanza, as the Spiders continued to plug away on both ends of the ice.

Dow repelled all 18 shots the Ice Hogs recorded in the third period, but admittedly needed a “breather” during the barrage as he called a timeout from the ice with 4 minutes remaining. The net minder credited great defense and an inspired backcheck for allowing him to record his highest single-game save percentage of the season.

The Spiders offensive attackers did everything in their power to summon another goal before time expired, with a would-be game winner from center Jay Hilden hitting the cross bar in the final minute of regulation.

That energy carried over into the 5-minute overtime session where the Spiders outshot their opponents 7-3. Neither team found twine in extra time as rebounds were hard to come by and full benches allowed for fresh legs on both sides to continue an aggressive forecheck.

The 1-1 tie, though not preferred by either team, was fitting in a game that features 80 shots between the teams.

Cherney, for his part, stopped 34 of 35 shots for the Ice Hogs. He leads the division with a 2.07 GAA and 91% save percentage in 14 starts for a team that still officially considers him a “substitute goalie.” Both stats would put him inside the top 10 among goaltenders across all AHA tiers. But he hasn’t done it all by himself as the Ice Hogs lead the league in shots against by a wide margin.

Saturday was only the second time this season a team has recorded 30 or more shots against the Ice Hogs. The Spiders posted 31 shots against the Hogs on Jan. 26.

Attendance: 32

GAME NOTES:

Dominant Hogs

The Ice Hogs have been firmly planted atop the B3 East division all season long. And their dominance is reflected in more than just their record. With 747 shots for and 468 shots against, through 19 games the Ice Hogs far-and-away lead the league in both categories. The Spiders are second in the division in shots for with 646. The Loons finished their season in second place in shots against. The Ice Hogs are second in GF (98) and their 42 GA are 24 fewer than the Gators – next best team in that category.

Spiders late-season inspired play

Nobody WANTS to kiss their sister. But the Spiders 1-1 tie with the best team in the B3 East followed their 5-4 OT win the week previous against the playoff-bound Taz Devils. It represents possibly the best two-game stretch of hockey the team has played all year – which came one week after the Spiders were officially eliminated from playoff contention. Go figure.

Heading into their final game of the season, the Spiders have recorded at least one win against 5 of 7 teams in the league. They have taken at least one point from all but one – the Mutiny.

A win in the season finale against the Mutiny (5-12-1-1) would give the Spiders their first three-game unbeaten streak of the season. Also noteworthy: the Mutiny’s only wins on their schedule have come against the Spiders and the bottom feeding-Mighty Northern. How’s that for motivation?