The Maryland Whipsnakes didn’t play on Friday night in Week 10, while the Utah Archers did, enduring lightning delays in the process. That’s what makes a 13-8 loss to the Archers less than 24 hours after Utah had already played a Week 10 game even more baffling. Somehow, it was the Whipsnakes who looked like they were playing the back end of a doubleheader instead of the Archers, with several Utah goals coming via defensive miscues by the Whipsnakes. While they only trailed by one at the half, the Archers used a 5-1 run in the third quarter to pull away, sweeping their weekend doubleheader to move into first place in the Western Conference with a 6-4 record. Maryland drops to 5-4, now tied with Philadelphia in the win column for first place in the East.
Whipsnakes play catch-up in the first half
The Archers picked up where they left off the previous night, as Sam King (2:04) and Ryan Stines (4:00) gave Utah the early lead. Joey Spallina scored back-to-back goals for the Whipsnakes (5:05; 11:19) to level the game at 2-2 after the first quarter. Archers retook the lead in the second quarter with a three-goal run. Connor Fields (6:33), Tre Leclaire (7:25), and Fields again (7:43) gave Utah a 5-2 lead. But two late goals from Aidan Carroll (10:09) and Richie Connell (11:19) narrowed Maryland’s deficit to 5-4 entering the half.
Whipsnakes can’t solve Dobson, Archers defense in second half
The Archers took control in the third quarter, outscoring the Whipsnakes 5-1. Stines (1:09) and King (4:32) extended the lead to 7-4. Connell (9:23) got one back for Maryland, but a 2-pointer from Aidan Maguire (10:29) and an outstanding solo effort from Mike Sisselberger off a faceoff win (10:45) gave Utah a 10-5 lead going into the final frame. Fields (1:07 fourth quarter) and Leclaire (3:25) pushed the lead to seven before Aidan Carroll (4:39) broke the run. Rob Pannell followed (6:03), but Maryland still trailed 12-7. Stines scored his hat trick goal 31 seconds later to temper any potential comeback by the Whipsnakes. Maryland could only manage a late goal from TJ Malone (9:28) for the 13-8 final.
Other Stats Of Note
Whipsnakes: Spallina (2g, 1a); Connell (2g); Aidan Carroll (2g); Pannell (1g, 1a); Malone (1g); Colin Heacock (1a)
Archers: Fields (3g); Stines (3g); King (2g, 1a); Leclaire (2g); Maguire (1 2-pt g); Sisselberger (1g); Connor Maher (2a)
Brett Dobson (Archers): 18 saves; Emmet Carroll (Whipsnakes): 13 saves
Mike Sisselberger (Archers): 18-24 Faceoffs; 15 Ground Balls (led all players)
Whipsnakes faceoff specialist Petey LaSalla left the game in the third quarter with an apparent ankle injury
