Spiders continue late-season surge with impressive come-from-behind win!

April 3, 2015

In the day late and a dollar short category, the Spiders Hockey team waited until March to play its best hockey. Coming off two very exciting contests against the best teams in the league, the Spider faithful was hoping to see this level of electricity carry into the season finale.

A contest that should’ve been a walk in the park for the Spiders proved to be anything but. The Mutiny had beat the Spiders twice before earlier in the season but were still firmly entrenched towards the bottom of the league. They looked to best the Spiders for a third time, as they came out flying while the Spiders looked flat-footed and confused. In fact, the Spiders made a mental error early and took a bench penalty for too many men on the ice. Without mustering any real offensive attack in the first period, the Spiders were fortunate to escape the first frame with only a 1–0 deficit.

The second period brought new life to both teams as it looked like a totally different game. It was fast, back-and-forth hockey as both teams peppered the net, crashed the corners and banged bodies in an effort to tilt the ice in their favor. Both goalies were going to have to earn their paychecks on this night as the second period alone saw 45 shots on goal. It was the Spiders who struck first in the period as Mike Townsend capitalized on a penalty shot opportunity to tie up the game. (Matt Adelman was unable to attend the game, but the scorekeeper put him down for the his team-leading 18th assist on the penalty shot, saying that Matty would’ve begged for it in the locker room anyways if he had been there.) Moments later, Mutiny All-Star Berenjian scored his second of the game, on the power play, as the Mutiny regained the lead. The feverish pace continued as Aaron Bedessem and Mike Townsend each scored for the Spiders. With the score tied at 3, the Mutiny got two late goals to finish the period up 5–3.

Enough is enough already. The Spiders determined to end the season on a winning note came out and steamrolled the Mutiny in the third. Early goals by Kuppe and Buckalew tied the game at 5 with over 10 minutes to play. The game did not stay tied for long as the Mutiny was able to find the net once again to regain the lead. The Spiders, refusing to die, continued to apply heavy pressure. They continued to throw all kinds of rubber at the Mutiny netminder, but he was up to the task. With 4 minutes left, the red wave was rewarded for their efforts as Aaron Bedessem netted his second of the game to again tie the score. With under 2 minutes to play, Spider defenseman Dirk Jacobson unleashed a cannon to net the eventual game winner.

The final horn sounded, both goalies exhausted from overwork … 92 shots! This is adult hockey at its finest. Spiders victorious! Did you ever notice that after a win, the parking lot beer always tastes better. Great Season, Boys!

In a related story that you may appreciate, especially those of us that grew up in the 80’s. They were so moved by the energy and excitement of that last game that The Beastie Boys wrote a song about it. The Spider front office was delivered a demo of this tune and aside from being the Spider theme song, it could be the next big hit for the Beastie’s. To the tune of Rhymin’ & Stealin’, this new song is called:

Wheelin’ & Dealin’

Because Mutiny on the bounty’s what we’re all about

The Spiders hit the ice & they let it all out.

No soft sucker with a parrot on his shoulder

They played bad-ass hockey. They were bold getting bolder

Terrorized on the ice; The Mutiny were begging them “Please!”

When Berenjian (#4) had beef he got capped in the knees.

We had 13 skaters and our goalie was blessed;

The Spiders crushed those suckers and they’ll crush the rest…

Have a great summer. Spider family BBQ is in the planning stages. Details to follow.