Spiders sink Admirals 6-0

Feb. 20, 2010

The Spiders set an all-time attendence record as the frenzied crowd cheered them on to a clutch late-season victory. The oxygen tanks were on site as the Spiders fielded just 11 skaters Saturday night. In fact, the only thing shorter than their bench was the shortness of breath throughout the first period as the Spiders came out flying. They threw 13 pucks on net but were unable to penetrate a hot Admiral goalie in the first as the teams remained scoreless through 17 minutes.

The Spiders were able to gain their sea legs in the second as they began a flurry that still has the admiral heads spinning. Brian Armagost opened the scoring just 3 minutes into the second with the assists going to wingers Jim Maietta and Aaron Bedessem. The Spiders would strike again just 4 minutes later on the power play as Jay Hilden beats the Admiral net-minder short side off pretty passes from Bortnem and T. Stalpes. The flurry of activity continued as the Spiders fired 14 more rubber biscuits on net.

Down by 2 goals the Admirals took a penalty at the buzzer and would begin the 3rd period down a man. The Spiders wasted no time to capitalize when less than a minute into the period, Bruce Gustafson chipped in a centering pass from right winger Jim Maietta. Just 20 seconds later, Brad Butalla took the remaining wind out of the Admiral sails. Bedessem and Hilden with the helpers put the Spiders up 4–0 with 16 to play. The Admirals showed a tremendous amount of grit down the stretch but the continued hot play of Spider Wall, Brian Dow kept them scoreless. Maietta and Bedessem added late goals for the Spiders as the game ended at a score of 6–0.

The Spiders continued their feeding frenzy on opposing goaltenders as they outshot the Admirals 46 to 18. The raucus crowd gave their Red Army a huge ovation as the horn sounded. They saluted #1 Star Brian Dow for his league-leading third shutout.