Spiders Find Scoring Touch In 8-3 Demolition Of Dragons

Jan. 9, 2010

A full parking lot in St. Louis Park greeted the Spiders as they arrived for their game against the Dragons. Of course all but 16 poor souls were there for the SLP varsity hockey game against Irondale. But those 16 die-hard fans were treated to a 8-3 Spiders victory that saw the good guys put the puck on the net an amazing 58 times.

The Spiders came out tentative and the Dragons got on the board just 21 seconds into the game. The Spider forecheck finally got going and created a turnover that led to the first goal. With Jay Hilden in the sin bin for hooking, Brad Butalla and Aaron Bedessem broke into the zone on a 2 on 1. Butalla put a heavy shot on net while Bedessem had the goalie screened. Bedessem collected the rebound and patiently waited for the goalie to commit before shoveling the puck past the sprawling goalie.

The goal opened the flood gates as Jay Hilden, Shawn Tromiczak, and Jim Maietta added goals before the end of the second period. In the third, Tim Stalpes and Brad Butalls scored while Jim Maietta got his second of the evening. The third period also featured earthquakes, volcanoes, the dead rising from the grave, rivers and seas boiling, human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together…mass hysteria. Well, not really. But wholesale shuffling of the lines saw defense mainstays Josh Cagle and Tim Stalpes centering forward lines and rookie of the year candidates Aaron Bedessem and Jay Hilden manning the blue line. (Bonus points for anyone who got the Ghostbusters reference above.)

Your Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America final – 8-3 Spiders.

Next up for the Spiders are the C2 North-leading Warriors. The Spiders are looking to avenge a 4-3 defeat on November 1. The puck drops Sunday at 3:10pm at the frozen confines of Ken Yackel West Side Arena. Fans — make sure to bring your hand warmers.