Spiders shut out by Stars 5–0, but cure second-period curse

March 19, 2006

The Spiders matched up to the first-place Stars almost all the way through the first period, giving up the first goal with 2:53 remaining in the first. And, the Spiders even kept the Stars to one goal in the second period, going a long way toward “curing” the season-long second-period curse.

Unfortunately, the Spiders’ offense was again shut down for the second time in three games, with the Stars demonstrating why they’re in first place in D2 West by playing positionally sound hockey the length of the rink. The Stars got two goals late in the first period, only one in the second, and another two in the third, including a short-handed goal.

The second-period curse, though, was sent packing, with the Spiders letting in only one goal in the second. Consider the season average before this game was 2.61 goals in the second period (with 1.78 in the first, and 2.33 in the third). And, our previous meetings with the Spiders saw 4 goals (10/30/05) and 3 (1/21/06) in the second. So, despite the shutout, the Spiders goals-against was much improved against the Stars.

Amazingly, no Spiders were called for penalties tonight, though they drew three, including defenseman Jeremy Litton drawing a tripping call in the second (at 3:39), and center Doug Thorson getting flagrantly checked behind the net into the boards in the third (roughing at 9:43)

Goalkeeper Jeff Keacher saw 39 shots (12, 11, 16), making some of his usual amazing saves, with a total of 34 saves on the night.