Spiders Subjugate Admirals

Nov. 30, 2010

The Admirals entered into this season with at least five new players including a new net-minder. With the Admirals enforcer in free agency, Spiders chose to go with a lighter, faster line-up, which meant the healthy scratch of previously activated Delsing and Forcelle. Re-activated for Sunday’s contest were Tim and Chris Stalpes fresh from the IR.

The battle field was unfamiliar ice to the Spiders having not played at the New Hope South arena since their migration to the C2 level. The first period found the Spiders off to a shaky start ended quicker than in previous years. With a few key saves early by Dow, the pressure was turned to the offensive side of the rink. The opportunities were many but the quality of the chances were lacking. The Spiders best scoring opportunity came near the end of the first but Chris Stalpes could not handle the Brett Favre-like pass from his goalie.

Any fan of the Spiders knows that they own the second period. Rookie Adelmann notched what proved to be the game-winning goal. His second of the season came when he jumped into the play to knock the puck past the sprawling Admiral defense. Six minutes later, “Slashmaster” Jim Maietta took a pass from Adelmann and ripped it through the five-hole of the ever-present goaltender. Both Stalpes boys were welcomed back to the rink nine seconds later by working with Thorson to give Chris his second goal of the season.

If it were not for the Admirals goalie’s quick reflexes, the Spiders would have blown it open for many more. Hilden and Bedessem refused to speak to reporters in the locker room but were heard muttering something about the goalie’s glove being oversized and wanting a league investigation. The final goal came about from a failed attempt of the aforementioned goalie to freeze the puck. Following the scrum at the side of the net the goal was finally awarded to Greg Lindsley. Unnamed sources reported seeing Lindsley giving something to the referee just before the goal was reported. Teammates had to separate Bortnem and Cagle as they argued about who would be awarded the final assist. When the dust settled, official scoring showed assists credited to Armagost and Bortnem.

Dow was approached for an interview but in his Finnish dialect, denied any reports from the previous week regarding a previously reported injury. He claimed it was a conspiracy by other teams in the league to cast doubt on his ability to play a full season. Dow and his defense recorded his second shut out of the season and 8th in the Spider sweater.

The Spiders now sit alone in first place in the AHA C2 West division at 4-1. They will face off with the fourth place Sled Dogs (3-1-1) on Saturday at Breck Arena. They have a lifetime record of 2-1-1 against the Sled Dogs.