D1 squad victorious in Spiders doubleheader at Eden Prairie

Nov. 21, 2010

Royals vs. Spiders

Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010,
9:15 p.m. – Eden Prairie 2

Game 4 (AHA game 191)

Royals final score:: 4
Spiders final score:: 5

Final – 11/21/2010
Team	1	2	3	F
Royals	0	2	2	4
Spiders	3	1	1	5

Guest reporter C. Yard

The Spiders Franchise was a busy one at the Eden Prairie Rink 2, Sunday, Nov. 21. The C2 Spiders defeated their opponents very efficiently, and it looked as though the D1 Spiders were about to follow suit against the Royals.

The Spiders jumped out to a quick lead, against a goaltender who had only allowed four goals in his previous three games. Mike Johnson, with his newly aerated jersey, streaked down left side and put it past the Royals netminder. The assist goes to defenseman Chris Pettengill.

The Spiders grabbed their second goal of the game from Chris Flannery, who was probably just taking out his frustration from a teammate breaking his “Girl’s Hockey Rules” water bottle. The one goal wouldn’t be enough though. Flannery decided to slam another one home to give the Spiders a three-goal lead. Both goals came on assists from Christian Heitzman. Johnson also gets credit for an assist on one of the goals as well. It was a very productive night for that line with a combined six points.

Chris “No-No-No” Pettengill got the penalty box warmed up as he kept the Royals’ (and former Whitesnake) Brian “Glacier” Vesall from getting a quarter-speed breakaway. The Spiders killed off the penalty; but surprisingly didn’t generate any goals while shorthanded, as they’re accustomed to.

Heading into the second period the Spiders were looking good. Then somebody tilted the ice, and the Spiders spent a lot of time in their zone. They were able to get themselves into a penalty kill situation. Dave Schuster got called for a checking penalty, although the referees didn’t call it until the Spiders had maintained possession and gotten shots on goal, a good 10 seconds after the supposed body check.

The Spiders got right to it after getting back to full strength. The Semper Fi line was on the ice for a mere 15 seconds before Jake Cison was able to find the back of the net. Assists go to his linemates Cody Yard and Cory Vandenberghe.

Not content with a four-goal lead, the Spiders decided to make it interesting. The Royals got on the board with a goal from Horn with 40 seconds left in the period. Then miraculously, Horn got another goal before any time had run off the clock, still 40 seconds left in the period.

The dreadful third period center ice battle raged on until the Spiders were able to tack on another goal, executed well enough to make an NHL team jealous. Jason Freed was able to bury the puck in the back of the net on a pass from Tim Wahlberg.

The Spiders would take their three-goal lead until Dingman beat the Spiders defensemen and snuck one by Travis Fransen with 2:33 left in the period. The Royals pulled their goalie, and began the Final Protective Fire on Fransen. After making enough saves to get the Spiders comfortable, Glacier Vesall scored on a shot from somewhere south of the goal line. The goal made the game very interesting, bringing the score to what would eventually be the final 5–4.

The Spiders made it count when they needed to, and made sure the Royals were able to make it interesting for the new team photographer. Alex Schuster managed to take more than 1,000 photos of the game. The staff couldn’t believe he was able to stay awake the whole time, or get distracted by the paint drying.

*Latest information to this report puts the Spiders in first place in their division. The Royals lose their first of the year (3–1) and drop to second place.

Next up

The first-place Spiders (4–0–0) will face the last-place Gold Rush (1–3–0) for the first time in franchise history, following an extended Thanksgiving weekend break (well, on Monday).

For details, see the box score and game summary.