Spiders honor founder’s legacy with victory #7

Dec. 27, 2008

Spiders held a “Tribute Night” honoring founder Marc Berris as the first-ever inductee to the Spider Ring of Honor. When the Berris highlight video was played during the 1st intermission, there wasn’t a dry eye in the arena. In a fitting and ceremonial show of respect, Spider left wing Mark Bortnem (wearing the Berris name plate for the last time) in one game surpassed the career point total of our founding Spider.

When the final tear drop was wiped away and the buzzer sounded the scoreboard read Spiders – 6, Sting – 3. The Spider win streak hit a record level of 7 games.

The Sting came out of the gates strong and tested the Spiders’ fortitude. They drew first blood just 3 minutes in to the contest. The Spiders, on the power-play, answered the bell when Mark Bortnem put home a nice feed from Gustafson and the game was tied. The play was fast and furious, up and down the ice. With just 4 minutes left in the first, the arena erupted when, on the penalty kill, Shawn Tromiczak unleashed a cannon that the Sting goalie never saw. With Jack “the hammer” Delsing still in the sin-bin, the Sting tied the game at 2 with just 3:30 left in the period. Just when everyone thought the first period would end up in a tie, Brian Armagost uncorked a last-second bullet from outside the blue-line...He shoots, He scores! Just 3 seconds left on the clock and the fans (sporting their new Spider apparel) went wild! Shots for the first period: Spiders 14, Sting 11.

In the second period, inspired by the Berris tribute, Mark Bortnem picked up his second tally of the contest by slamming home a rebound off a blast by Delsing. The Spiders continued to pepper the Sting net-minder, but he was up to the task as he was playing pretty inspired hockey himself. Late in the second period, league commissioner Pete Morrow picked up his second of the game and the Sting were back to within 1. Shots in the second: Spiders 12, Sting 5.

The 3rd period was all about Marc Berris, I mean Mark Bortnem, as he does the legacy of #18 proud by picking up his 3rd and 4th goals of the evening. Assists on those goals came from Forcelle on the 3rd and Maietta on the fourth. The Spider D and net-minder held solid and when the dust settled...The streak continues!

Penalties for the Spiders:

• #33 Delsing – Interference
• #66 Maietta – Elbowing
• #66 Maietta – Interference
• #28 Forcelle – Hooking

All three players were innocent and therefore falsely accused.

Your 3 Stars of the game are brought to you today by: Segal, Roston & Berris – “Reasonable doubt for a reasonable fee”

#3

Spider Sniper Shawn Tromiczak

#2

Brian Armagost – Solid defensive play, big goal

and your Segal, Roston & Berris player of the game:

Mark Bortnem: 4G, GWG

Next victim: Sled Dogs