Spartans study the pre-game scouting report…

March 22, 2008

Spartans study the pre-game scouting report…

Realizing that they were out-manned at every position, the Spartan GM makes a desperation roster move that could prove to be the acquisition of the season. That’s right, they brought in the biggest Spider killer of them all, substitute goalie Brian “the exterminator” Dow. The exterminator lived up to his billing by turning away just about everything the spiders could muster as the Spartans skated to a 3–2 overtime victory.

The Spiders dominated play early as they held the Spartans to just 4 shots in the first period while notching more than twice that number themselves. With a short bench, the spiders relied on sheer grit and determination to carry the speed of play throughout. Their bench became even shorter when on just his second shift, All-Star center Brad Butalla was lost for the season while diving to deflect a loose puck went crashing into the boards. While the Spartans could not match the speed of the Spiders they relied on the physical style of play to stay in the game. Because of this, they were able to capitalize with a strong fore-check to tally a quick goal to make the score 1–0. Late in the first period a melee ensued in front of the Spartan net when Spider #66 inadvertently went for a puck as “The Orkin Army” was covering it. The Spartans took exception to this and bounced Maietta around like a pinball. While he was punched, slashed, elbowed and cross-checked only the slash was called and the Spiders went on their second power-play of the game. Maietta made them pay 45 seconds later when he was able to redirect a Cagle blast from the point that tied the score at 1. Stalpes picked up the second assist.

The second period was fast and physical. Well, maybe not fast, but it was physical. Both net-minders earned their pay as they turned away all 21 shots taken in the second period. Mad-Jack Delsing finally said enough is enough as he picked up an elbowing penalty on Spartan #2. This elbow would begin a love-hate relationship with #2 that would last throughout the game. At one point they were thought to be seen kissing on the ice but it turned out to be a head-butt followed by some curse words… I guess the ref wasn’t the only one swearing out there.

In the third, the Spartans struck early taking the lead once again at 2–1. The Spiders answered when Bruce Gustafson put in a scrappy goal assisted by Maietta and “Big Jim” Green. The Spartans proved why they are one of the most-penalized teams in the league when they took their 4th penalty late in the game. The Spiders, however, were unable to capitalize and overtime became inevitable.

The overtime looked more like the battle of carnage with bodies flying everywhere. Just when you thought the refs had lost their whistles, Harnett picked up a tripping penalty (he was innocent). Not only did the Spiders kill it off, they also went on the power-play late in the overtime. It was the ultimately the Spartans that had the power as they scored the game-winner short-handed in OT, thus dashing the Spider playoff hopes.

Doing what any self-respecting team would do, the Spiders hoisted a few beers and began strategizing for the 2008–2009 season.

Guest contributing columnist Jim “scratch” Maietta