Spiders dominate, defeat Royals 7–1

Feb. 8, 2009

The Spiders returned from the Super Bowl mid-season break without losing a step tonight. Fans arriving at New Hope Arena faced considerable confusion as to which game they had purchased tickets for, as the Spiders C2 squad was facing off against the Blizzard on the north rink at the same time.

The Spiders dominated throughout the game, and in each category on the scoresheet, except for racking up penalties. The Spiders got their share, but it was the Royals who marched to the gate with enough regularity to keep the seat warm in there. However, it was still a slash or check away from setting a single-game PIM or penalty record for the Spiders.

But, a new record was set tonight, though most fans, and even some of the players, missed it. Off the opening faceoff, a determined Aaron Bedessem charged the zone, lost the puck, recovered it, lost it again, recovered it and pounded it home. All in the span of … 7 seconds. Yes, a new record for quickest goal scored, besting the old record of 18 seconds, vs. the Knights in the 2006/07 season.

Though the Royals tied the game up 5 minutes later, beating a sleeping Spiders defensive corps at 10:38 of first, it was a power play goal with just under 3 minutes in the first that was not only the game winner, it was the first goal of the season for left winger Rob Droullard! Assist by fresh-out-of-the-box Paul LaCosse.

The rest of the offense, and there was plenty of it, ate up the clock, through the second and especially the third, and meant the Royals could get nary a scoring chance, forcing surprise non-scratch goalie Amber Obermoller to replace her water bottle with a double latte.

The rest of the scoring for the Spiders:

• Second period
  • Brian Armagost, unassisted
• Third period
  • Luke Baker, unassisted
  • Mike Armel, on assist from Jeremy Litton — a play fine-tuned at the Meadow this past weekend.
  • Chris Pettengill — playing the back half of a doubleheader — on a perfect pass from Rob Droullard, and second assist from Jay Hilden.
  • Chris Flannery, assist from Jay Hilden (again)

Penalties? Too many. The Royals spent over 14 minutes — close to an entire period — shorthanded. Though Spiders’ faithful were comforted to see #26 get the gate twice, reminding them of days of old.

The Spiders put a whopping 34 shots on net (7, 13, 14), which meant the Royals didn’t have much time to get their shots off, racking up only 12 (3, 4, 5). That ties another Spiders’ franchise record, this time for fewest shots against in a game. (Convenient that the opposite record — fewest Spiders shots on goal in a game, which was five, was against the Royals…)

What’s next…

The Spiders continue their lock on first place in D1 East, with at least a five-point lead over the second-place Diablos, who don’t skate ’til next week.

The Royals remain in a three-way tie for fourth place, crowding the last slot for D1 East’s four playoff berths.

Next up for the Spiders, it’s a Valentine’s Day rematch with the Fighting Saints at Highland. The previous game was a 7-2 Spiders’ win.