Spiders warm up the penalty box

Nov. 9, 2017

A slight imbalance in recognized rule infractions put the Spiders on the PK for an entire game.

Well, almost. The Spiders were on the PK for almost an entire period with 14 minutes of whistles to four minutes for the Nords. Clearly, a team won’t win many games sitting in the penalty box, and that example has to start at the top, with team-leading PIM-getter #14 (C) needing to set a better example.

While the Spiders got on the goals side of the scoreboard first as well, with Sommerness from D D. Elling, it became the Nords game thereafter, who scored three unanswered, including a power play goal, the first allowed by the Spiders this season (in 11 PKs). A lone power play for the Spiders, just the second man advantage opportunity this season, went for naught.

The Spiders did answer back late in the second, R. Elling from Bullock and D. Elling, though a theoretical coach’s challenge would’ve mean the Nords retained their timeout.

A few more penalties, and a coffin nail goal by the Nords put the icing on the cake.

Final score: 4–2 and the Spiders’ first regulation loss of the season.

The Spiders drop to sixth place, a far more comfortable spot for a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in four seasons. And it’s back to tied for second for the Nords, a far more comfortable spot for a team that won the division last year and won the L5 championship this summer.

Next up, the Spiders face an unknown team, the Hooligans Green. They sit a spot behind the Spiders, at 1–2, coming off a 6–1 loss to the undefeated Fighting Loons.

Puck drop is yet another late Thursday night game, 9:30 at the Woog (Wakota).