Spiders lose early season battle between C1 powers

Nov. 11, 2012

The Spiders and Royals have quite the history but not much of it has been good for the Spiders. There was the 3-2 loss in the 2010 playoffs. The soul crushing 4-0 loss in the rematch in the title game a few days later. The only semi-bright spot is the 6-6 tie in the 2011 playoffs as the Spiders fought back from a 5-1 deficit to take a 6-6 tie.

Both teams made the semi-finals of the 2012 playoffs and both entered the game unbeaten, although it’s very early in the season – the Royals at 2-0 with 17 goals scored and the Spiders at 1-0 with a strong shutout of the Aces in their first game. The winner would certainly be seen as the favorite in the division.

The Spiders got off to a strong start as just seconds into the game Jay Hilden had a partial breakaway off a turnover. The Royals goaltender turned it away but the ice was titled in the Spiders favor. Hilden got the Spiders on the board midway through the period with assists to Jack Delsing and Aaron Bedessem. Just minutes later, Aaron Bedessem made it 2-0. Bedessem caused a turnover at the blue line, skated in alone, and put home the rebound after the goalie made the initial save. The great individual effort from Bedessem had the Spiders bench pumped up.

A late Royals goal brought the first period to a close with score at 2-1 Spiders. The Spiders outshot the Royals 12-7 in the period and were controlling the game and limiting Royal scoring chances.

The Royals got two quick goals early in the second to jump out to a 3-2 lead. The first was a fluttering wrister that evaded the glove of netminder Brian Dow while the second was a fluke deflection on a centering pass from behind the net.

Late in the second period veteran sin bin dweller Jim “The Mad Italian” Maietta took his second penalty of the game to put the Spiders on the penalty kill. A Spiders defenseman blocked a shot in the defensive end leading to an odd man rush the other way. The initial shot was saved but the clearing attempt was knocked down by Cody Yard at the point, who put a strong shot on net through a screen. Dave Schliesman, smartly positioned on the far post, knocked in the rebound to make the score 3-3.

The tie was short lived as the Royals scored before the penalty expired. The Royals added another goal early in the second to extend the lead to 5-3.

Tired early season legs led to ugly, ugly hockey in the third period. The Spiders had some opportunities, including clanking a shot off the post with a minute to go but could get no closer. Final score - 5-3 Royals.

Even with the loss, the Spiders could take some positives from the game. They outshot the Royals in every period and 31-21 for the game. There’s not team in the league that skates better than the Royals. Even with the Royals having a couple young guys with apparently unlimited energy, the Spiders limited breakaways and odd man rushes.

The loss drops the Spiders to 1-1. The Royals move to 3-0 and with the Thunder Chickens, who are 1-0, are the only teams with unblemished records in the division.

The Spiders next take the ice on Sunday, November 18th at St. Thomas Academy against the Warriors. The Warriors are off to a strong start, beating the Rack Attack 5-1 and tying the Puck Hounds 4-4.