Lumberjacks chop down Spiders

Feb. 29, 2008

A fuller-than-normal bench and the guest appearances of two players from the Spiders C2 club weren’t enough to make up for a flood of Spider penalties as the Spiders fell to the Lumberjacks 7–4.

While the Lumberjacks took an early lead on two first-period goals, the Spiders answered back with two goals of their own. Midway through the first period defenseman, David Schaefer took advantage of a scrum in front of the Lumberjacks’ net, slipping a Ted Samsel pass through the well-screened goaltender.

Then, early in the second period, the Spiders tied the score on a highlight-reel goal by left winger John Peterson. Center Bruce Gustafson carried the puck through heavy defensive coverage deep into the Lumberjacks’ zone, then threaded a perfect pass through to Peterson who had rushed to the front of the net. Peterson held the puck just long enough for Gustafson to get into position to screen the Lumberjacks’ goalie, then fired into the mostly open net, bringing the crowd of three to its feet.

The Lumberjacks didn’t take long to respond, scoring again just two minutes and one second later, and reclaiming lead.

Later in the second period, Gustafson notched his second assist of the game on another pass from below the goal line, but this time it was left winger Bob Jensen who camped out in front of the Lumberjacks’ net. Jensen slammed the puck past the goalie for his own second point of the game (having received the second assist on Peterson’s goal).

The third period started with a Lumberjacks goal, but the Spiders kept the score within one on a Lee Martini breakaway goal at 11:54. While many on the Spiders’ bench felt that Martini should have passed instead of shooting, Martini disagreed. “I’d have happily passed the puck if only there was someone there. The next-closest Spider was Marc Berris, and he was sitting on the bench. The rest of the guys were back in the neutral zone, so I did what I did best. I drew the goalie over and down, then flipped it over him into the twine. I may not have stolen the lead from the Lumberjacks, but I did steal that goalie’s dignity.”

Sadly, the tides turned when the Spiders ran into penalty trouble, with five minor penalties in the second half of the third period. The Lumberjacks turned the Spiders into kindling with two power play goals in just over three minutes, sealing a 7–4 win.

In the D1 East playoff hunt, the Lumberjacks sit in fourth place, with 21 points; the Spiders — for now — hold onto 7th place, a point ahead of the Wolf Pack.

The Spiders next face the Jets tomorrow night in what is sure to be a painful game. The Spiders will be missing a record number of players, and are expected to dress no more than eight skaters. Said Spider goalie Mike Derer upon hearing about the player shortage, “F***!”