Spiders strike Gold, win 9–2 over Gold Rush

Nov. 29, 2010

Cison greeted by hats in third after first AHA Hat Trick

The D1 Spiders avoided a post-Turkey hangover to skate (and score) to their fifth victory of the season, defeating an unknown, but tenacious, Gold Rush team Monday night in Richfield.

The Spiders and Gold Rush have never met, having been in different divisions, so tonight’s game represented the first time the two teams have played each other.

The Spiders’ Jake Cison introduced himself early, streaking down the ice and scoring at 13:15 of the first, assist to Yard. Mike Johnson followed suit under a minute later, grabbing a Litton rebound in the left slot and putting it away to make it 2–0 for the Spiders, with assist also to Pellicci.

The Gold Rush answered back, cutting the lead in half at 10:24. Johnson then responded, putting a deke the goalie and topped it over the Rush’s Anderson to retake the two-goal lead at 5:29 to close out the first period, assist to LaCosse, with what would be the eventual game-winner.

The Spiders’ traditional second-period doldrums looked to be setting in early, with a 3-on-1 Gold Rush, thwarted by D-man Mike Schroeder, who was called for a trip on the play, awarding the Gold Rush a penalty shot. But netminder Fransen stood tall and played it perfectly to deny the Rush.

Those doldrums were ultimately cured by Schroeder, netting his first of the year from the left point to the far corner, assists to Heitzman and Johnson.

With just under three minutes remaining in the second, the Gold Rush took advantage of an epic Spider defensive miscue to beat Fransen, and again cut the lead in half. And on the very next play, almost did the same, with a wide-open net and loose puck, but the backcheckers and Fransen came up big, and were able to close out the second up 4–2.

In the third, the Spiders adopted the “the best defense is a good offense– strategy, and held their own Thanksgiving parade to the scoresheet.

• At 57 seconds in, Cison from Yard.
• At 13:11, Pellicci from Heitzman.
• At 7:20, generating Movember moustache mojo, a Schuster solo effort (first goal of the season).
• At 6:39, Vandenberghe (first goal of the season) from Cison.
• And for the Hat Trick, at 3:24, Cison from Droullard (and the Rush’s #34 Lane).

Once the hats were cleared off the ice surface by the Richfield ice bunnies (or ... his linemates), Vandenberghe netted another, though had it waved off due to a certain kicking motion from his skate.

In the waning minutes, a bit of chippiness made its debut in the game, though Flannery would be the only one to see the back of the penalty box gate, called for having someone fall near him in the slot. The Spiders spent the remaining 1:38 shorthanded, getting to exercise their PK unit. The biggest Gold Rush chance came in a scrum to the left Fransen’s net, where Grotbeck had been knocked down on top of the puck. In the scramble of sticks, he finally found the hidden biscuit to avoid a penalty, and slid it, ever so carefully, to the side boards.

Final score: 9–2.

Fransen was the recipient of 23 shots, getting the win, and also saw his first penalty shot in his AHA career. If last season is any indication, there’s certain to be more ...

The Gold Rush’s Anderson saw 41 shots ... well, saw 32 of them, as the other 9 were behind him.

With the loss, the Gold Rush drop to 1–4. The Spiders improve to 5–0 with the win, a franchise best-ever start. And they’ll have a week off to sit alone in first place and rest up the customary dings and dents from making it a quarter of the way through the regular season. They’ll resume the schedule in two weeks, on Dec. 11 at the luxurious St. Paul Academy Drake Arena, facing yet another mostly unknown opponent, last season’s D2 champions the Puck Hounds (2–1–1; third place). The only time the two teams have met was this year’s Fall Tourney, where the Spiders won 5–1.

Special thanks again this week, to the A. Schuster Media Executives Specialty Group LLC, providing spectacular game photos.

Game media

Game photos courtesy A. Schuster Media Executives Specialty Group LLC

Cison (87) celebrates his first of the game, with Grotbeck (18), Yard (15), Droullard (9) and Vandenberghe (82).

Johnson’s first goal of the game, drawn from Pellicci (50) to Litton (14), sent in for a waiting Johnson to the left of the net.

Fransen (83) makes a lunging save on a diving and/or leaping Gold Rusher.

LaCosse (26) breaks up a 2-on-0 in the second period.

The Spiders play the “box.” Flannery (12), LaCosse (26), Vandenberghe (82) and Yard (15) surround the Gold Rush’s DeBleeckere (28).

Schuster’s moustache witnesses the prettiest pass of the night, a backhander to a trailing Freed.

The wreckage following Schroeder’s tripping minor, which would be assessed for a penalty shot for the Gold Rush.

Droullard (9) makes a blue-line stand.

Heitzman (27) picks a pocket.

Schroeder (63) noticing a wide-open puck.

Yes, D1 hockey.

Schuster’s third-period goal.

For all game photos, see the Spiders Photo Gallery.