Amber gives Spiders gift of shutout vs. Sled Dogs

Dec. 20, 2009

Highlights:

Sixth career Spiders shutout:: Amber Obermoller
First career penalty shot (attempt):: Luke Baker

Sled Dogs vs. Spiders

Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009,
8:30 p.m. – New Hope S

Game 7

Sled Dogs final score:: 0
Spiders final score:: 2

Final – 12/20/2009
Team	1	2	3	F
Sled Dogs	0	0	0	0
Spiders	1	0	1	2

By Eric Ackermann

Junior reporter Eric Ackermann was on site to witness a spectacular holiday event as Amber Obermoller proved why she is the nicest goalie in Spiders’ team history. The game started without much fanfare in the sleepy little hamlet of New Hope; actually, not a single fan was spotted... Anyway, back to our story.

The Spiders and Sled Dogs both came out strong, chasing the puck back and forth, but without very many opportunities as the two teams struggled to figure out each other’s weaknesses. Finally, two-thirds of the way through the period, LaCosse couldn’t handle the pressure any more, quickly hooked a player and skated straight to the penalty box to start working on Amber’s Holiday Gift. Without Amber’s knowledge, the Spiders had decided to decorate the penalty box and rename it the “Gift to Amber Box.” Throughout the rest of the game, they quickly took turns decorating the box, sometimes with a couple of them there at the same time. The Sled Dogs tried to follow suit, but weren’t as successful with their “Gift to Joe Box.” Unhappy with the Sled Dogs joking about LaCosse’s decorating of the gift to Amber, # 12, Chris Flannery scored a short-handed goal (and what would turn out to be the game winner) to silence their barking.

Both teams traded several shots to the corners and in several areas of the ice during the second and third periods, causing extreme dizziness and headaches to both goalies, and one referee lost his voice yelling ice so frequently. Finally, in the third period, Mike Johnson, with help from Flannery and Tuttle, reminded everyone that we were there for a hockey game by displaying a fantastic drive to the net and scoring.

Special events to note in this game — the Spiders’ penalty kill was fantastic, allowing no goals on 7 penalties, including a 5-on-3. Luke Baker is at a career crossroads after a wrestling match and a penalty shot — he lost both and is considering taking up MMA. There was a team meeting and much discussion and animation on the Spiders’ bench and the ice on how many players we should have on the ice during the 5-on-3 and 5-on-4. Eventually, the referees prevailed and the correct number of players was allowed on the ice.

The game finally ended at the completion of the third period and Amber happily skated over to everyone and presented the team with a shutout of their very own. She did take a moment to thank the team for the “Gift to Amber Box,” but asked that everyone not go so overboard next year during the holiday season. Sadly, the team did not know how to take this and instead of celebrating the holiday with spirits, most went home, arguing with each other on who missed the net the most.

Players of the game:

#1a and #1b: Amber Obermoller and Chris Flannery
#2a and #2b: Mike Johnson and Luke Baker
#3a and #3b: Christian Heitzman and Jim Tuttle

Coach of the game and honorary fan:: Cory Vandenberghe
Player mostly likely to pass the puck to Amber:: Paul LaCosse
Best skating-clown imitation backwards on one leg:: Eric Ackermann

The much-needed two points won’t elevate the Spiders out of their comfy eighth-place spot, which they’ve held virtually all season. But it does put them just a game behind the middle of the pack. The Sled Dogs also hold onto their ninth-place berth, just behind the Spiders.

Next up for the Spiders, a rare Monday night AHA matchup, against the D1 Maroons, which sit in that middle of the pack, with 6 points.

As we continue through the holiday season and prepare for our next game, best regards and wishes for happiness and a safe return to the ice to all from the Spiders News staff.

For details, see the box score and game summary.