Spiders offense melts down against Snowmen

Nov. 18, 2007

The Spiders faced an energized Snowman team tonight in Richfield. With a 0-3 record to start the season, the Snowmen had something to prove. The Snowmen came out with an aggressive fore-check early and often in the first period and pinned the Spiders into their own zone. At just over one minute into the game, the Snowmen high-sticked their way into the penalty box and played a man short. After a long slap shot into the Spiders zone, the Snowmen capitalized on a goalie miscue and went up to a quick 1-0 lead on a shorthanded goal. The rest of the period was a back and forth dual with the Spiders getting out shot 9-6.

The second period brought a little more jump to the Spiders game as they out shot the Snowmen 11-7. Chris Smith got on the board halfway through the period with an assist from Defensemen Chris Stalpes. Snowmen substitute goalie Dow was quoted after the game saying “I never saw that thing coming, it was like a bullet&8230;.are you sure that guy is C2?”

The third period brought some more excitement as the Snowmen went up 2-1 on a breakaway that Spiders goalie Chad Sande turned away. Unfortunately the rebound came back into play and the Snowmen capitalized again. Spiders forward Doug Thorson went down on a tripping call early in the period and re-injured his recently healed broken elbow….this is officially listed in the Spiders media guide as an “upper body injury, status for next match will be a game-time decision”.

To add to the third period excitement, the Spiders were given a full 2 minutes of 5 on 3 when the Snowmen sent 2 players to the box with just 5 minutes to go in the period. Spiders defensemen Chris Stalpes took advantage of the 5 on 3 and evened the score at 2-2. The Spiders again out shot the Snowmen 13-7 in the third period, but couldn’t penetrate the Snowmen’s goalie for the game winner.

The final overtime period only afforded one shot per team, and the Spiders finish with a 2-2 tie, their record moves to 3-0-1.