Spiders and Beavers skate to a draw

Nov. 27, 2012

Sometimes it feels fortunate to come away with a tie. Other times it feels like a disappointment. Sundays tie against the Beavers can be looked at either way.

The Spiders struck first as Matt Adelmann scored on a one-timer off a long rebound. Tight defense kept the Beavers to the outside and Spider goaltender Brian Dow turned away anything that got through.

The second period went by scoreless but the Beavers, 18! skaters strong, started to pick up the pace. Brian Dow stood tall, making several strong saves on pucks through traffic and covering loose pucks in the crease. Midway through the third period, the Beavers finally broke through as a shot from the right wing skipped over Dow’s paddle.

Both teams had good chances through the rest of the third period and OT. Several defensive breakdowns led to odd man rushes for the Beavers. Defenseman Tim Stalpes, on top of his game, skillfully defended the two-on-one situations and kept the game tied. With the seconds ticking away, Cory Vandenberghe got good wood on a crossing pass but the Beaver made the save. The result – a 1-1 tie.

The Spiders can look at the result as a disappointment, outshooting the Beavers 35-27 and missing out on some good opportunities. They also lost top line wing Aaron Bedessem with a lower body injury after a Spider-on-Spider collision. Or they can feel fortunate – too many odd man rushes given up and Dow had to make several tough saves. In the end it’s a point against a good team.

The Spiders now have 10 days off until they face off against the division leading Thunder Chickens.