Spiders sinking fast with 4–3 loss to Nordeasters

March 2, 2022

Fourth L in row could spell April golf.

The longest bench of the 2022 portion of the season couldn’t hold off the Nordeaster snipers, as the Spiders were defeated 4–3.

The Nordeasters capitalized first on a fluky goal, and then immediately took a penalty to offer the Spiders a chance to catch up. But it took instead until well into the second for the Spiders to beat the goalie, first off a beautiful stretch pass by Andres (uncredited by the AHA statisticians), to Sommerness, and sniped by Berman. And on the ensuing faceoff, Grotbeck single-handedly cashed in again, shocking the Nordeasters.

But the shock wore off quickly as they tied it back up, and then added another on a top-corner rocket from #36.

The Spiders, though, had an answer in the waning seconds of the second period, Mettee from O’Connor, to re-tie the game.

And in the third, thought they had the go-ahead, but the out-of-position ref waved it off.

The chess match in the third lasted until another snipe found the top corner again, 17 from 36. And as the Spiders formulated when to pull the netminder, the refs decided to level the playing field.

After the PK, with the extra attacker, the Spiders had some chances, including a loose puck sitting for the taking at the crease, but no Spider close enough to the puck.

Final score: Nordeasters 4, Spiders 3.

This fourth loss in a row (a streak the Spiders haven’t compiled since Feb. 15, 2020) puts the Spiders’ playoff position precipitously close to the Fighting Loons (9–8; 18pts.). Though the Spiders (9–7–1; 19pts.) hold that tiebreaker with two wins earlier in the season.

Both teams would need to win the next two, with the decisive season-ending matchup possibly holding the formula to AHA Math and an invite to April Hockey. But even the eighth-place Nordeasters are still clinging by a thread (of their very expensive new cut-n-sew “N” sweaters) to AHA math, as they could grab the PIM tiebreaker from the Spiders if they win out (and Spiders do the opposite). In other words, there are four teams that can send the Spiders packing with just three games to go.

Nordeasters debut their brand-new cut-n-sew “N” sweaters.

On the season, the Spiders and Nordeasters split the series. And lifetime, dating back to the 2019–20 season, the record favors the Nordeasters, with the Spiders going 1–2–1.

Next up, the Spiders face the Fighting Walleye (11–5–0–1; 23pts.) for the first time this season, the previous matchup handed to the Walleye on forfeit. The Walleye drop to third place for the first time in weeks, as the Royals beat the seemingly unstoppable Spartans 6–1 thanks to their very short bench Sunday night.

Puck drop is Wednesday night, 9:15 back at Richfield 2.