Spiders have a new rival: themselves

Jan. 31, 2015

Gold Rush gladly accept turnover after epic turnover while in scoring position.

In the second of a three-game family-friendly homestand at SLP, with a crowd of over 20 packing the East arena bleachers, the Spiders have only themselves to thank for the third period implosion, unlike last week.

The Spiders were busy congratulating themselves through most of the first two periods for being up on the C3 first place Gold Rush, able to capitalize on offensive opportunities, and minimize the Rush chances, with goaltender McCormick coming up with big save after big save.

First on the board, was Paul Berman, in the right place, at the right time. Assists to Bredael and Lavigne.

Minutes later though, the Gold Rush answered back using a prone D Litton as an effective screen.

But early in the second, the Spiders got it back, when a point pass from Vandenberghe handcuffed Byland, but he was able to corral the puck in tight and send it on net, and put away by Mike Johnson.

The Spiders carried the 2–1 lead through most of the second period, despite penalty trouble. But with three minutes to go, the first of many wheels began to come off. Whether on the PK, the PP, or on even strength, the only play the Spiders could reliably make was the tape-to-tape giveaway. A goal at 3:11 tied it up, and a delayed-penalty goal a minute later gave the Gold Rush the lead to close out the period.

The third period was exactly 16:53 of all Gold Rush and no Spiders, on both the scoresheet and the penalty log, not that it mattered. Mercifully, the ref pulled the plug for runtime clock after the latest shorthanded turnover breakaway with 8 seconds on the clock.

When it was all said and done, the Gold Rush added 5 goals, to finish the 8–2 drubbing. Though not a record, the last time the Spiders gave up 5 goals in a period was the 7–0 shutout by the Fighting Loons last February. Spider fans have also tried to forget that the five was eclipsed in the 2013–14 free all-you-can-eat buffet playoffs, with 6 for the Sled Dogs, and a 7-spot for the Nighthawks.

This latest meltdown for the Spiders (6–6–0–1; 13 points) puts the team on the outside of what will likely be a top-5 cutoff for playoff invites. The Gold Rush solidify their hold on first, at 8–3–2; 18 points). And most other teams in the crowded C3 East middle have a game in hand.

Lifetime against the Gold Rush, the series evens up at 4–4 in winter season play, with the Gold Rush taking both games of this season.

The third game of the homestand comes next Sunday against the 10th-place Nighthawks (4–7–2–0). The previous game was one of the first of the Spiders’ many fall-apart games this season, where the Nighthawks won their first of the season, 5–1.

Puck will drop on Sunday, 7:45 p.m., at SLP.