Spiders can’t solve short-benched Spartans

Nov. 9, 2025

For the second game of the season, falling on hunting opener weekend, the Spiders were lucky to have 12 skaters, while the Spartans began the game with just nine (with a second period second wind making it two lines).

The Spartans struck first though, early. And it wasn’t until late in the second, when the firm of Berman-and-Berman (plus Vandy) to even up the score.

But the Spartans answered back early in the third, somehow being awarded a goal despite pushing the goaltender’s pad back into the goal … typically not counted in hockey. But tonight had some different rules.

The Spiders managed to tie it back up again with 6:24 to go, this time M. Berman (from Olk and Kato), only to get the dagger less than a minute later, plunged by Mitson making a great slot shot.

With a timeout under two minutes, and pulling Sofie, the Spiders got a couple of chances, but nothing doing.

Final score: 3–2

Lifetime against these Spartans, the series of which started in the 2022–23 season, that team’s first at C3, is now even up at 2–2.

Next up, the undefeated Pines. The Spiders last faced the Pines in playoffs last season, going down 5–4. Puck drop, next Sunday, New Hope at 6:15.