Definitely not the All-Star Game

Jan. 29, 2017

At 9–0–1–2 and a handy cushion in first place of C3 West, there was little question of the outcome against the Les Etoiles du Nord, a team that emerged from its third-place finish last year to now hold the best record in not only the C3 level, but in ALL of the AHA.

The only question was what the final score would be. The Spiders showed their hand early in the first, as a three-on-two turned into a two-on-one and a distinct non-kicking deflection became a one-goal lead. Late in the first, that became two. The Spiders added to the Nord’s lead early in the third, before finally getting on the board themselves at 10:53, with Tim Byland nailing an elbow-deflected slapshot on the power play, assist to Farner.

A couple curious penalties against the Spiders put the PK to the test, but it was back at full strength when the Nord capitalized again to go up 4–1.

An early power play in the third was negated by a “good call” according to Mike Johnson. The Nords scored a minute later on yet another call against the Spiders, on an offensive showcase through the Spider zone by “rookie” #81. Nords 5–1.

The parade to the penalty box remained decidedly one-sided, despite plenty of textbook … er, casebook … opportunities (such as 639(a)(3)) to keep both sides of the penalty benches warm.

With four minutes to go, the Spiders made it less of a rout, as Elling hit Johnson at the blueline, and Johnson bolted in, shook off a lateral body check (uncalled, of course), and beat the netminder short side.

One final uncalled Nord penalty along with a called Spider penalty for good measure, and the final score was 5–2.

Shots were moderately close, 28 (8, 8, 11) by the Spiders, and 32 (11, 9, 12) by the Nord. Penalty minutes … the Spiders handily won that stat.

The first-place LED Nord remain solidly in first, improving to 10–0–1–2 and 23 points, six points ahead of the Arctic Wolves in second.

The loss keeps the Spiders stuck in eighth, and now four points out of the fourth-place spot held by the IceDogs, whom the Spiders face next.

That game follows the Super Bowl break next weekend, when the AHA is on a bye. Head to the Woog (Wakota) for Tuesday night hockey, puck drops at 9:20 p.m.