Spiders take care of business against Royals

Jan. 19, 2014

It was a win that should have been expected. However each game this year for the now B3 Spiders has had a question mark on the outcome before it started. As the team entered into the second half the season they have discovered that there are no easy wins for the fan-favorite team.

The Royals have not always been the team that the Spiders have enjoyed playing. The first game of the season had these two squads facing off and the 4-2 victory was a nice start to the season, however some bad blood events took place. This time the Royals were looking for revenge.

The Royals struck first with a double deflection slider that found the back of the net. Thorson knotted the score with this second goal of the season and that was quickly followed by Vandenberghe just two minutes later. After a seeing-eye screen shot by the Royals the first period ended 2-2.

As is frequently the case with this team, the second period was the tipping point. Townsend and Adelman netted a goal apiece and the referees decided to finally to call penalties. After passing on a number fouls in the first period the officials put five different players in the box. The Spider’s penalty kill was up to the task killing off a minute and a half of five on three. However, their power play unit was unable to capitalize going 0-4 on the night.

The final horn sounded with the Spiders on a three game winning streak. Townsend recorded his first hat-trick as a Spider, although film of this has been sent to the league office for review. Townsend was last seen chasing the scorekeeper down the street screaming, “No, I’m serious. That last one deflected off my cup! I want the hat trick!”

The upcoming four games will be the real test. The first time playing these four teams found the Spiders scoring just 11 goals and surrendering 30. There is reason for optimism as the forwards are gelling on their breakouts and the defense has found a way to clamp down on free players in the defensive zone. This stretch will most likely determine whether the team has any chance for the play-offs.

Attendance: 6