Spiders still on track for division title with 4-3 win over Warriors

March 25, 2013

After losing three of their last four games the Spiders have opened the door for the Royals and Sled Dogs in the race for first place in the C1 East division. With the pressure on, the Spiders gained a much needed win over the Warriors Sunday night. It wasn’t easy and it wasn’t pretty but a win’s a win.

The Warriors got on the board first as the Spiders got caught pinching, leading to an odd man rush. The goal shouldn’t have counted as the play was well offside but the referee was out of position after getting tangled up at the other end of the ice. The Spiders tested Warrior goalie Mike Anlauf often but couldn’t break through and the period ended 1-0.

Goaltender Brian Dow could be heard snoring from his crease through much of the second period as the Spiders dominated and controlled he puck in the offensive zone. The Spiders outshot the Warriors 16-2 in the period but could only put one puck in the net. Dave Schliesman drove hard around the net as if to try a wraparound before passing to Jim Maietta on the far post who buried the puck.

Goals early in the third period by Matt Adelmann and Cody Yard gave the Spiders a 3-1 lead. The game looked to be well in hand as the Spiders had the lead and momentum. But two quick, soft Warriors goals tied the game, much to the delight of the Royals and Sled Dogs players who showed up early for their game to observe. With the clock ticking down Cody Yard bailed out the Spiders as he knocked home a loose puck to put the Spiders up 4-3. The Warriors pulled the goalie for an extra attacker and forced the Spiders to ice the puck several times in the last minute but the Spiders weathered the storm to secure the win.

The mood in the locker room was businesslike as the Spiders knew they didn’t play their best game and were fortunate to get away with it.

Immediately following the Spiders/Warriors was the Royals against the Sled Dogs in a game with huge playoff implications. Both teams entered the game in contention for the division title with the Sled Dogs just ½ game behind the Spiders with the Royals one game back. The Sled Dogs, behind 36 saves from goaltender Charlie Beattie, skated away with a 3-1 win. The Royals are now locked into 3rd place in the division with the Sled Dogs sitting around and waiting for the Spiders to finish up the regular season.

The Spiders close out the regular season on Wednesday, March 27th against the Thunder Chickens in a game that’s huge for both teams. While the Spiders are playing for playoff seeding the Thunder Chickens are playing to get into the playoffs. Scenarios are:

• Spiders regulation win – Spiders take division title and advance to the playoffs as the top seed in pool A with the Nemesis, Avengers, and Beavers. Thunder Chickens eliminated from playoff contention.
• Spiders overtime win – Spiders take division title and advance to the playoffs as the top seed in pool A with the Nemesis, Avengers, and Thunder Chickens. Thunder Chickens take 4th place in division based on head-to-head record against Beavers.
• Spiders and Thunder Chickens tie – Spiders take division title based on head-to-head tiebreaker with Sled Dogs and advance to the playoffs as the top seed in pool A with the Nemesis, Avengers, and Thunder Chickens. Thunder Chickens take 4th place in division based on head-to-head record against Beavers.
• Spiders lose in overtime – Spiders take division title based on head-to-head tiebreaker with Sled Dogs and advance to the playoffs as the top seed in pool A with the Nemesis, Avengers, and Thunder Chickens. Thunder Chickens take 4th place in division.
• Spiders lose – Spiders finish in second place in the division behind the Sled Dogs and advance to the playoffs as the second seed in pool B with the Fighting Piranhas, Royals, and Zephyrs.

Got all that?