Spiders stamp out Spitfires, ride fast start into holidays

Dec. 19, 2016

Spiders stamp out Spitfires, ride fast start into holidays

(AP – Inver Grove Heights)

Dec. 19

With a two-week holiday break looming and the Spiders finding themselves near the top of the B3 East standings, there was no better time for Brent Murray to give the gift that keeps on giving.

The second year wing tied a bow on his first career hat trick while wearing a Spiders uniform in a 5-2 win over the Spitfires (4-3), Dec. 19 at Veteran Memorial Community Center.

The victory placed the Spiders (4-1-2) all alone in second place in the B3 East Division. They trail only the Venom (5-1-1) as the league takes its last major break before play resumes in 2017.

The Spiders put 41 shots on net in the winning effort. Ryan Wilson earned a play maker's patch with three assists. And veteran goalie Brian Dow turned away 34 of 36 shots.

The Spiders jumped out to a 2-0 lead after one period with goals by Murray at 10:33 and Tom Prausa (first of the season on a slapper from the point with a new blade) at 13:54.

Play was fairly fast paced in the opening minutes, but the Spiders won nearly every foot race to the puck and battle in the corner through most of the first two periods, where they out shot their opponents 28 to 21.

Murray tallied his second goal of the game with just 2:19 remaining in the second, giving the Spiders a 3-0 cushion.

But the Spitfires' C. Gram slid one underneath Brian Dow's leg pad with 1:46 left in the second period to get the Spitfires on the scoreboard. They used that as fuel to turn up the heat early in the third period, where they notched another goal at the 13:30 mark, cutting the Spiders' lead 3-2.

Despite the fact the Spiders were out shot 15-13 in the third period, they were able to withstand the pressure in their own zone thanks to some key saves down the stretch by Dow. Rookie Christian Peterson's second goal of the season couldn't have come at a better time, when he found the twine on a wrister with 9:32 to play in the game.

That 4-2 margin allowed the Spiders to regroup and return to a more assertive style of play they displayed earlier in the contest.

Murray then sealed the deal with this third goal of the game at 4:38 of the third period, give the Spiders a 5-2 lead that would stick when the final horn sounded.

The win cemented the best pre-holiday break start in the Spiders four seasons at the B3 (see the “news and notes” section).

In-game chatter

- The Spiders were 0 for 6 in scoring on the power play. The last few games they have moved the puck well with a man advantage and set up quality scoring opportunities, but have come away largely empty.

- Cody Buckalew and Josh Cagle each notched an assist in the win over the Spitfire; both are tied for the team lead with 7 assists.

- Brian Dow lowered his GAA to 3.57 for the season, easily the best pre-New Years start he has had at the B3 Tier. He's also in third place among B3 East goalies in save percentage 88.74%

- The Spiders tallied 5 goals against the division's top goalie, R. Madsen, who played the role of emergency sub when the Spitfires starting goalie was AWOL. Madsen leads B3 East in GAA and save percentage. Fortunately for him, his worst performance of the season won't count in his cumulative statistics.

News and Notes

The point after:

Through 7 contests, 11 Spiders players are averaging at least one point per game played.

Josh Cagle (2 goals, 7 assists) and Jay Hilden (5 goals, 4 assists) are co-leaders in points.

Fast(est) start:

The Spiders 2015-16 campaign recorded the team's best start pre-Jan. 1 start at the B3 tier in three team categories: best record, most goals scored per game, and fewest goals against per game.

Here's a look at Spiders B3 track record heading into New Years Day:

2016-17 (7 games)

- 4-1-2

- 34 GF (goals for) = 4.85 per game

- 25 GA (goals against) = 3.57 per game

2015-16 (9 games)

- 3-6

- 25 GF = 2.78

- 39 GA = 4.33

2014-15 (7 games)

- 4-3

- 31 GF = 4.43

- 35 GA = 5.00

2013-14 (8 games)

- 2-6

- GF 33 = 4.13

- GA 46 = 5.75

Something to work on:

On the season the Spiders have scored 3 times in 28 power play chances for a 10% conversion rate.

Play resumes Monday, Jan. 2 against the Loons at 9:40 p.m. at Hopkins Ice Arena. Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukuh and Happy New Year!