Spiders hooked by Fighting Ice Fish 5–2
March 3, 2014
Highlights:
Fighting Ice Fish vs. Spiders
Saturday, March 1, 2014,
5:10 p.m. – Aldrich
Game 16 (AHA game 4240)
- Fighting Ice Fish final score:
- 5
- Spiders final score:
- 2
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fighting Ice F... | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Spiders | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
The Spiders celebrated Hockey Weekend Across America 2014 Saturday afternoon at Aldrich by not only losing to the Fighting Ice Fish, but losing the hold on C3 East first place as well.
The Spiders’ 7–0 run in December and January seems like a distant memory. After last week’s 0–7 drubbing by the now-in-first-place Fighting Loons, the Spiders looked to regroup against the sixth-place Fighting Ice Fish (6–7–2).
We barely had our chinstraps on before a puddle behind the Spiders’ net grabbed the puck and threw the first Ice Fish goal in. The Ice Fish’s second goal required more effort on their part and was a typical Spider team effort, or lack thereof.
The Spiders’ first goal was a beautiful top-shelf rebound by Schuster set up by a Schwinn shot off the goalie’s body. It kept us close and in the hunt. Nothing to get alarmed about at this point.
In the second period though, the Spiders started to slow down (if that’s even possible) and another funky bounce behind the net went right while McCormick and Schroeder went left, leading to a smelly Ice Fish goal.
A lot of teeth gnashing, yelling and angst gave the Spiders some energy for about 30 seconds to start the third period. Schroeder was hauled down on a defensive rush but Schuster and Pappone managed to get the puck to trickle over the goal line as the Fish protested the ensuing penalty too much to notice — and managed to pick up another penalty after the goal for whining. The tide seemed be turning.
The tide was turning — in the wrong direction for the Spiders, who couldn’t keep up the “blistering” pace the Ice Fish were keeping up. A couple of seeing-eye shots and the game was well over with about 3 minutes to play. The only bright spot was a tutorial by Fritz on cross-checking from behind, executed with near precision in front of the Spiders’ shredded net. The ref was kind enough to explain to the Spider bench that keeping the arms close to the body is key to getting away with that particular technique.
To add insult to, uh, insult, Pellicci made an anonymous donation to the Arena Thief Retirement Fund.
Here’s to hoping the next four games against the bottom four teams of C3 East allow the Spiders to recapture some of their mid-season “magic.” A full complement of players will be needed to continue the epic quest to the playoffs.
We’ll even pick up Pellicci’s bar tab if he shows up for the next game…
Standings watch
| Team | GP | W | L | T | OTL | P | GF | GA | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fighting Loons | 16 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 62 | 40 | 90 |
| Spiders | 16 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 51 | 44 | 108 |
| Fighting Piranhas | 16 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 21 | 51 | 40 | 58 |
| Fighting Saints | 15 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 42 | 39 | 104 |
| Gold Rush | 16 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 17 | 51 | 40 | 108 |
| Fighting Ice Fish | 16 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 54 | 47 | 72 |
| Ak Bars | 16 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 48 | 44 | 76 |
| Icedogs | 15 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 43 | 46 | 94 |
| ShameonIce | 15 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 28 | 56 | 80 |
| Buccaneers | 15 | 2 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 31 | 65 | 102 |
The Spiders’ free fall puts them tied for second place in C3 East with the Fighting Piranhas (though ahead thanks to tiebreakers), half a game out of first.
Next up
The last-place Buccaneers (2–11–1–1) have two wins on the season, against the IceDogs and, surprisingly, against the Fighting Piranhas, meaning they can spoil the party for playoff hopes. The previous game with the Spiders went to OT, and the Spiders’ way.
It’s another Family Matinee, puck drops 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at Richfield.
For details, see the box score and game summary.
