Spiders come up short against Fighting Piranhas

March 3, 2007

Despite plenty of Power Play chances, the Spiders couldn’t finish the comeback from a two-goal deficit, losing to the Fighting Piranhas 4–3.

In what may prove to have playoff placement significance, the Spiders went up against the surging Fighting Piranhas, who are holding tightly onto their tied-for-third spot in D2 East. The Spiders knew the game would be a challenge, as the Piranhas shut out the Ak Bars 7–0 a week ago. Plus, Mike Anlauf would be in net as sub goalie for the Piranhas, whom the Spiders had faced just two weeks ago.

The game started out evenly matched and fast-paced. The Piranhas would get on the board first, at just over a minute into the first. The Spiders would tie it back up 3 minutes later, on a goal by Lee Martini from Dave Schliesman.

The first Power Play for the Spiders came with 5:10 remaining in the first, and Spiders were able to capitalize, on a slapshot from the top of the circle into the top corner by defenseman Jeremy Litton, his first Spiders goal, at 3:56.

The Spiders lead would last only a minute, when the Piranhas would tie it back up at 2:55.

Into the second, Piranhas would get two more, the second one coming on their Power Play, establishing a 4–2 lead into the third.

From there, despite spotting the Spiders a man advantage with four Power Plays in the remaining second and third, the Piranhas put up a strong forechecking front, allowing the Spiders few sustained offensive chances. One would come — at 4:04 — as center Doug Thorson charged, deked and swirved, getting the goalie to commit, and swept the puck home, bringing the Spiders to within one.

A time out with around 2 minutes remaining allowed the winded Spiders to plan their attack. And with a minute remaining, pulled goalkeeper Jeff Keacher to add the sixth attacker. It was not meant to be, as the ever-attacking Piranhas forced turnover after turnover, taking multiple empty-net shots, though none would find the net. But it kept the Spiders from mounting an attack, shutting down the Spiders’ comeback hopes. The final: Spiders 3, Piranhas 4.

Scoring summary:

• First period:
  • Lee Martini, from Dave Schliesman
  • Jeremy Litton, from Lee Martini, Power Play goal
• Third period:
  • Doug Thorson, from Ryan Herman

Penalties:

With defenseman Paul LaCosse not on the ice tonight, the luxury penalty box was duly occupied by:

• First period:
  • Michael Armel, cross-checking
• Second period:
  • Michael Armel (again), for boarding
• Third period:
  • Ryan Herman, for roughing

Goalkeeper Jeff Keacher faced 27 shots (11, 9, 7), stopping 23. The Spiders put up 22 shots (9, 6, 7).