Spiders successfully hunt big game; defeat Moose 6–3

Feb. 17, 2007

St. Louis Park, Minn. (AP) — For the second time this season, the Spiders defeated the cellar-dwelling Moose, earning a season sweep. The game featured a near-capacity crowd courtesy of visits from two of the three Martini girls and a special appearance by all of the pom-pom toting attendees of the slumber party of defenseman Brian Armagost’s daughter.

Due in no small part to the energetic crowd, and despite being outshot 15 to 10 in the first period, the Spiders had tremendous success finding the back of its opponent’s net, leading the Moose 4–2 at the end of the first period.

Center Dave Schliesman notched his team-leading 14th goal of the season roughly five and a half minutes into the first period, assisted by defenseman Michael Armel and left wing Brad Caron. Less than four minutes later the line struck again with a goal by Lee Martini, assisted by Schliesman.

The biggest surprise of the evening, however, came at 2:29 of the first period. Proving true the adage that sometimes even a blind squirrel will find an acorn, left winger Marc Berris received David Schaefer’s highlight-reel pass from behind the net and one-timed it into the partially open net. Yes, you read that right. Schaefer passed to Berris and Berris didn’t fan on it!

Following a lengthy celebration that came close to earning the Spiders a delay of game, Lee Martini struck again just over a minute later, scoring an unassisted goal with just 55 seconds remaining the first period.

Though the goal scoring slowed down, the Spiders’ shot intensity only grew in the second and third periods, with the Spiders outshooting the Moose 15–6 in the second period, and 18–5 in the third.

Defenseman Michael Armel earned his second point of the game with a second-period goal assisted by David Schaefer, also his second point of the game.

Finally, in keeping with the “multi-point” theme, Brad Caron scored at 14:45 of the third, assisted by defenseman-turned-center Brian Armagost.

The Spiders’ penalty kill was tested by penalties allegedly committed by Michael Armel (tripping and hooking) and Mark Franklin (slashing at, well, the air). Members of the Minnesota Supreme Court convened a special late-night session after the game to review the game tape, only to later proclaim both players innocent of all charges.

Scoring summary

• First period
  • Dave Schliesman, from Michael Armel and Brad Caron
  • Lee Martini, from Dave Schliesman
  • Marc Berris, from Dave Schaefer
  • Lee Martini, unassisted
• Second period:
  • Michael Armel, from Dave Schaefer
• Third period
  • Brad Caron, from Brian Armagost

Penalty summary

• First period
  • Michael Armel, for tripping
• Second period
  • Mark Franklin, for slashing
• Third period
  • Michael Armel, for hooking

Goalkeeper Jeff Keacher faced 26 shots (15,6,5), stopping 23. The Spiders had a total of 43 shots on goal (10,15,18).

With the win, the Spiders improved its season record to 9–4–1, and appear to be in strong contention for a playoff berth. The team next faces the Jets on February 25.