Spiders melt Ice Gators at West Side

Nov. 14, 2010

Spiders offense comes up big in the first, and defense — with stellar goaltending — shutdown the second and third.

Back across town at West Side for the second time this season, the Spiders, dressed appropriately in their away sweaters to meet up with the Ice Gators. They must also be from the other side of the river, as they also dressed for an out-of-town game. Following a lengthy ice resurfacing by the West Side staff, the officiating crew sorted out who would supply the home pucks and get last change. From the opening buzzer, a full-benched Spider crew took the ice, and took a big lead in the first.

Starting early, just 31 seconds after the first puck drop, Chris Flannery scored (possibly unassisted, video review is unconclusive). Just a minute later, Jake Cison made it 2–0 for the Spiders, on assist from Yard.

Following a nasty laceration to the ref’s finger, the Gators got on the board at 10:47 to come with one. Not for long, however, as just 8 seconds later, the Semper Fi line made it 3–1, with Cison feeding Yard for his first of the season.

And putting a lid on the first period, a point shot from Rob Droullard was perfectly tipped by Flannery camped at crease, to put the Spiders up 4–1.

The second period was all goaltending, on both ends of the ice sheet. The Gators’ S. Jackson made ?* saves, and Fransen stood on his head numerous times to rescue the defensive corps, making ?* saves in the second.

* Sorry, no stats for shots by period, per AHA policy change.

In the third, the goaltenders continued their clinics, until Cison got another at 9:09 remaining, assist from Yard. At 5:55, the Gators’ M. Anderson snuck one in from the boards behind the goal line, crawling up the post and in. But that’s all they would get, and the Spiders were able to close out the victory 5–2.

Fransen saw 25 shots, stopping all but two to get the win. Jackson had 38 his way, saving 33.

The Spiders come out 3–0, still tied for first with the Royals in D1 West. The Gators are at 1–2, in fifth. Lifetime, which until today’s game has just been playoff matchups, the Spiders are 4–0 over the Ice Gators.

Despite no recollection in the dressing room of the penalty, the Spiders committed only one infraction, Wahlberg on a trip in the second period.

Next up for the Spiders, it’s back across the river, and through the woods all the way to Eden Prairie, to face the also-in-first 3–0 Royals. Next Sunday at 9:15 p.m. Lifetime, it’s a different story than with the Ice Gators, where the Royals have long dominated the Spiders: 2–6–1, with that “1” coming in the playoffs last season.