Spiders barely bag Mallard limit, win 2–1 to get off the schneid

Dec. 10, 2022

The Spiders got out of the “L” column after three consecutive defeats to knock off the second-place Minnesota Mallards.

The Spiders faced the second-place Minnesota Mallards, a team that has dominated the C3 West stats for the season. Their lone defeat came in the second week of the season, a 4–3 loss to the Walleye. Otherwise, they have dominated every single game, with a goals-for/against ratio at 34–12, averaging 5.7 goals for a game, 2 against, and three two 7–1 games.

The Spiders, stung from three consecutive losses, would have their work cut out in Mallard hunting season.

With goaltender Tucker still on IR, our summer goalie Andrew Enestvedt got the call to sub. And he picked up right where he left off this summer, keeping the team in close games.

The Mallards had everything going for them on paper, they dominated in shots, their speed allowed them free rein in all three zones, their raucous young crowd cheering them on (thankfully no duck call whistles).

But the Spiders got on the board where it counts. An early first-period setup from T. Johnson to T. Krough got the lead. And until the last two minutes, that’s where the score stayed. Despite dozens of high-quality chances, Enestvedt turned them all away.

And with just 2:13 left on the clock, a blue-line turnover by the Mallards was cashed in by M. Johnson, on the most beautiful highlight-reel backhand you can imagine.

The Mallards immediately called timeout, and with the extra attacker, erased the donut with 45 seconds to go. Confusion on the opening faceoff led the Mallards to reinsert their goalie, and while they won the faceoff, the extra few seconds was all that was needed to salt away the victory, as a dangerous wraparound the Spider net ran out of time to find its way in before the buzzer.

Spiders hold on to win 2–1! And Coach Nolan got his first victory of the season!

Being that this was a Spider game, the penalty box gate got plenty of reps in. Though the Mallards got in on the act too, including two even-up calls. But the Spiders’ PK, with one 5-on-3, did its job, and on the two power plays, mercifully avoided and shorthanded goals.

With the win, the Spiders climb a spot to a two-way tie for 6th place with the Arctic Wolves, whom the Spiders face next. And the Mallards drop to third based on games in hand.

After three games in a week, the Spiders now sit for 8 days, returning to the ice Dec. 18 back at Richfield for the battle for lone control of C3 West sixth place.