Spiders sinking fast, lose 5–1 to Ice Gators

Feb. 16, 2015

Yet another loss puts playoffs almost out of reach.

The welcome news this week from the league was that the C3 playoff criteria would allow one extra team into the post-season, giving the Spiders hope they could do their usual sneak-in-the-back-door finish. However, that would require winning some games to finish out the season. But since the halfway point, the Spiders have now gone 1–2–1–1. With just five games left and two spots out of fifth — with all other teams having at least one or more games in hand, the Spiders’ prospects are dimmer than the goal light behind the opposition net.

Sunday’s game at Richfield had all the Spider hallmarks: little offense, little defense, lots of penalties. The lone Spider goal came midway through the first period, by Sean Murphy, from Bredael and Droullard. Otherwise, it was all Gators on the scoresheet, with four unanswered goals in the second and third.

Shots came out even, with both teams putting up 28 (12, 7, 9 for the Spiders; 7, 10, 11 for the Gators). And penalties had the Spiders with the advantage (three to one).

The loss sinks the Spiders to 7th, at 6–7–1–1, 14 points. The Gators hold onto fourth place, 7–6–2 and 16 points. So while the Spiders are only a half-game back from a playoff spot, the rest of the teams have two games in hand, and most hold the tiebreakers. Meaning the chances of advancing look increasingly slim.

Next up, the Spiders take on the Maroons next Sunday. They sit at 5th place, at 7–5–1 and 15 points, with 13 games played. Puck drops at 9:30 p.m. at Breck.