Spiders fly by Knights

March 28, 2010

The Spiders swept the Knights tonight with a 12–4 final at the friendly and spacious confines of Braemar Arena tonight. But down the freeway, got anything but help from the Chaos, who skated to a 3–3 tie with the fourth-place Fighting Ice Fish.

Tonight’s rematch with the last place Knights gave the Spiders a chance to exercise their offense, which they did early and often, slotting 12 goals by the time all was said and done. And like last Knights’ game, defensive (and official) breakdowns led to numerous goals the other way, with cherry pickers and 3-on-1’s too many to count, leading to the Knights’ four-goal production.

On the Spiders’ scoresheet, a whole lot of numbers. Highlights include:

• Hat Tricks by Pettengill (including an opening shorthanded goal via a tip on a Yard point shot) and Pellicci (AHA career first; plus a fourth goal, on a tip-in from a Yard point shot).
• Five points (two goals, three assists) by Ungaro.
• Two goals by Johnson, including the “backbreaker” at 9 seconds on the clock.
• At least a point by 13 of 15 skaters.

On the penalty side of the house, Baker got an immediate rest just 29 seconds in for interference. And at 6:01, went back due to the generosity of his defensive partner Yard. Yard would get his own at 6:12 of the second, and Armel would finally get his at 13:55 of the third, though unfamiliar with the penalty process, had no idea where to sit.

Despite the lopsidedness of the score, the shots were reported almost evenly, with Obermoller seeing 23 (10, 6, 7), and the Spiders putting 25 (9, 8, 8) on the Knights’ sub goalie.

Records (tied and set)

The Spiders tied a franchise record for most goals in a game tonight. The previous record was 12 goals, against, you guessed it, the Knights. Back on Jan. 10, 2007, the Spiders beat the Knights 12–7. Plus, John Pellicci’s four-goal game ties the goals-per-game record originally set by Jim Maietta vs. this same Knights squad in 2007. Also of note, the third-period production also hits the record books, by putting up a new goals-by-period high of six goals.

Tonight’s win brings the franchise series to 4–0 lifetime for the Spiders.

Standings update

In the standings, the Spiders gain two points, but still sit in fifth, two points shy of the fourth and final spot, whose current occupant, the Fighting Ice Fish, skated to a 3–3 tie at BIG. That means the Ice Fish are still in control, as long as they win next Thursday. Incidentally, they play the Spiders, who would, by winning, take advantage of the #3 tiebreaker — head-to-head record. However, anything but a regulation win means the Spiders can head to the golf course.

Even though the game has the makings of a playoff-standoff, local television coverage will be blacked out due to the non-sellout anticipated at Breck at 9:30 Thursday.

Game media

Yet another Ungaro breakaway.

Strategeric faceoff formation.

Johnson (42) takes a faceoff.

Yard tangles with the Knight.

Pellicci (50) takes a shot.

Armel screens for Flannery’s backhander.

For all game photos, see the Spiders Photo Gallery.