Spiders take tough 1-0 win over Sled Dogs

Feb. 17, 2013

The Spiders/Sled Dogs tilt was critical for both teams as the Spiders held a 1 ½ game lead in the standings over the Dogs, along with the first tie-breaker after a 6-2 win in their first game of the season. A Spider win would put a stranglehold on the division while putting the Sled Dogs only ½ game from being out of the post season.

The absence of three of the top four scorers in the C1 East division (Jim Maietta, Dave Schliesman, and Matt Adelmann) and an opposing hot goaltender in Charlie Beattie put the Spiders to the test on Saturday night. Mid-week it appeared the Spiders would also be short-benched but travel plans changed for Cory Vandenberghe and Cody Buckalew, allowing a reasonable bench of 12 skaters, two better than the Sled Dogs.

The first period was evenly played with both teams having periods of offensive zone control. Both goaltenders were tested early. Brian Dow was especially strong for the Spiders, making two critical saves. The first shot came through a crowd from between the circles with Dow getting the pad down to stop the follow up. The first period came to a close scoreless with shots 10-6 in favor of the Spiders.

The Spiders forecheck and transition game started clicking in the second, resulting in long periods of play in the attacking zone. Sled Dog goalie Charlie Beattie made save after save to keep his team in it. As is often the case, it wasn’t the pretty tic-tac-toe passes that led to a goal but instead was a lucky bounce. Jay Hilden and Bruce Gustafson were stoned on the first and second shots of a barrage before the puck ended up alongside the net. A centering pass from Doug Thorson banked off a Sled Dog defenseman and into the back of the net.

The Sled Dogs played aggressively through the third period, attempting to spring a forward on a breakaway, but the Spider defense was almost always up to the task. The lone exception led to A. Bergan, the most skilled player on the Sled Dogs, on a breakaway. Chris Stalpes chased him down from behind and made a diving play, taking out the puck and Bergan’s legs. An obvious penalty, but then the refs decided it was a penalty shot. Stalpes cleanly contacted the puck and then took out Bergan’s legs with his head/shoulder area.

Begin rant.

Rule 616(b) reads: “A penalty shot/optional minor penalty shall be awarded to the non-offending team anytime a player is fouled from behind, or diagonally from behind and is denied a reasonable scoring opportunity during a breakaway."

By rule, this may have been a penalty shot but in six seasons in the AHA, the Spiders haven’t seen a penalty shot called in that situation. A little consistency would be nice, but AHA refs have also forgotten to call Rule 623 (hooking) or Rule 634 (slashing) with any consistency or in any way resembling the rule book so it should be no surprise.

Rant over.

Bergan, obviously exhausted, shot the puck high with Dow standing tall to deflect the puck over the cross bar. A late penalty on the Sled Dogs gave the Spiders some breathing room late and the game came to an end with the Spiders taking a 1-0 win.

The win gives the Spiders some breathing room in the division with a 2 ½ game lead with only 6 games left to play.

The Spiders next take the ice on Monday, February 25th against the Rack Attack. Face off is 9:00pm at Richfield 2.