Spiders stage comeback at Charlie Brown’s Barn
Jan. 15, 2023
Highlights:
Fighting Loons C3 vs. Spiders
Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023,
9:30 p.m. – Highland S
Game 11 (AHA game 21470)
- Fighting Loons final score:
- 5
- Spiders final score:
- 7
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fighting Loons | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Spiders | 3 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
A third-period rally and 7–5 victory quieted the Fighting Loons duck whistles.
The Spiders evened up the season series on the Fighting Loons Sunday night at Highland, in front of a crowd of one (Harry’s wife).
And that crowd was wildly entertained (if she was paying attention), as the game featured wild goals like a Broten slider, a split-the-sleeping-D, an up-and-over the goalie, a seeing-eye point snipe. And of course, plenty of penalties. And even some F-bombs from the ref (who did apologize after the game)!
Spider “fan”
While the game started out looking like the Loons would continue their winning trend, with their speedster #64 Neary opening the scoring, the Spiders immediately responded with a pair of markers from Krough. Another by each team though and the period closed out at a 3–3 tie.
After the Loons added another early in the second, they began their march to the box, soon to be joined in by the Spiders. And after two, the Spiders were staring at one-goal deficit.
The third kept the scorekeeper busy, with 20 PIM to be etched in the scoresheet. But more importantly, it was three Spider tallies, paired with desperate defense, including the last two minutes of empty net play for the Loons. But Tucker and the Spiders locked it down and skated away with the 7–5 victory.
After the game, the Highland crew could be seen replacing the burnt out goal lights from all those goals.
| Team | GP | W | L | T | OTL | P | GF | GA | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saints | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 51 | 26 | 52 |
| Les Etoiles du Nord | 11 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 47 | 29 | 38 |
| Spiders | 11 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 42 | 42 | 125 |
| Nordeasters | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 47 | 39 | 55 |
| Fighting Walleye Blue | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 34 | 28 | 28 |
| Minnesota Mallards | 11 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 51 | 35 | 46 |
| Arctic Wolves | 11 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 23 | 40 | 48 |
| Spartans D1 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 34 | 49 | 32 |
| Fighting Loons | 11 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 34 | 40 | 60 |
| Blade Runners | 11 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 60 | 60 |
The win adds to the Spiders’ midseason turnaround, having now won 5 straight, earning a lock on third place.
The Spiders still came up just short of the Federal League trophy, as the B2 Chiefs still own (ownz) the PIM record (at 127), while the Spiders sit in second place at a meager 125 PIM, eclipsing the C1 Sharks (119).
Next up for the Spiders, it’s the last place Spartans D1 (3–5–3–0; who seem be avoiding changing their name despite playing at C3 for half a season). The previous match, in November at EPCC (when Woods forgot his gloves), went the Spiders’ way 7–2.
Puck drop is at 7:15 Sunday back at EPCC.
For details, see the box score and game summary.
