Spiders come up big in upset of Buccaneers

March 10, 2007

For any chance at post-season play, the Spiders needed to start winning, and win they did, over the second-place Buccaneers, coming from a two-goal deficit in the first to win 8–5.

In this second meeting of the season, where the first matchup saw the Spiders give up an early lead, but hold on to an overtime tie. This time would be different, however. The Spiders spotted the Buccaneers a two-goal lead, which they held for most of the first. But, with two minutes remaining in the first, a beautiful coast-to-coast run by defenseman Brian Armagost cut the lead in half. Not satisfied to go into the second down 1, Dave Schliesman, on assist from Jim Maietta, scored to tie with 15 seconds remaining in the first.

The momentum swung the Spiders direction for most of the second, establishing a 4–2 lead on Jim Maietta’s unassisted goal at 12:13, and — again — Jim Maietta, from Lee Martini and Jeremy Litton, at 7:28.

Jim Maietta unloads on the Buccaneers, as Lee Martini (44) and Dave Schliesman (24) look on.

The Buccaneers answered back at 1:31, setting off a flurry of scoring exchanges in the remaining seconds of the second period. With :54 left, Lee Martini, on assist from Paul LaCosse, made it 5–3. Then, the Buccaneers moved within one again at :28.

The third period would be the Spiders’ time to shine. It wasn’t always pretty, but the Spiders contained the Buccaneers, while keeping up the offense. At 16:21, Michael Armel would find the back of the net from the blue line, on assist from Brian Armagost and Ted Samsel, giving the Spiders a 6–4 lead. At 9:33, the Buccaneers would try to flip the puck out of the crease by hand, drawing a penalty shot for the Spiders. Ryan Herman stepped up to center ice and beat the goalie clean, cementing the lead at 7–4. Just under a minute later, Ryan Herman — again — capped off the Spiders scoring, getting an unassisted marker at 8:33. The Buccaneers would get one more, at 5:18. The Spiders then effectively shut them down, including drawing a holding penalty at 1:02, preventing the Bucs from pulling the goalie for an extra attacker.

And that was all she wrote, a 8–5 upset for the Spiders.

Scoring summary:

• First period:
  • Brian Armagost, unassisted (going coast to coast)
  • Dave Schliesman, from Jim Maietta
• Second period:
  • Jim Maietta
  • Jim Maietta, from Lee Martini and Jeremy Litton
  • Lee Martini, from Paul LaCosse
• Third period:
  • Michael Armel, from Brian Armagost and Ted Samsel
  • Ryan Herman (Penalty Shot)
  • Ryan Herman

Penalty summary:

Just one, by Paul LaCosse Mike Armel, in the third, for tripping.

Jeff Keacher, who made game-saving stops, including bouncing pucks, to give the Spiders the win, made 28 saves on 33 shots (13, 11, 9). The Spiders were even in all three periods, getting 33 shots as well (11, 11, 11).

Game media

For all game photos, see the Spiders Photo Gallery.