Spiders comeback falls short in loss to Thunder Chickens

Dec. 14, 2006

Digging a first-period hole has become a habit of late for the Spiders. However, unlike the last two weeks, where the Spiders crawled their way back to a win (or at least a tie), the third-period four-goal rally wasn’t quite enough, with the Thunder Chickens coming out on top 8–5.

Tonight’s game — the last of the year before the holiday break — was a reunion of this summer’s Thunder Spiders. With the Thunder Chickens yet to be defeated this season, the Spiders knew they’d have their work cut out for them.

The Spiders couldn’t shake their first-period rust, giving up four unanswered goals in quick succession. The second wasn’t looking much better, with the Thunder Chickens’ two more goals, including a Power Play goal eight seconds into the man-advantage.

But all was not lost. The Spiders came back to life at 5:51 in the second, with Ted Samsel’s goal (first of the season!), from Ben Tesch.

And the third was all Spiders: four unanswered goals, bring the Spiders to within one marker, 6–5. Would the Spiders do it again? Tonight, it was not meant to be. The Thunder Chickens snipered one at 2:46, and would eventually seal it with one more at 1:29. The final was 8–5.

Although the Spiders lost, given the Thunder Chickens are undefeated this season — and Ken “The Wall” Kirkman has given up only six goals ... all year, the Spiders were in the game throughout, and put up good competition.

Scoring summary:

• First period:
  • Nada...
• Second period:
  • Ted Samsel, from Ben Tesch
• Third period:
  • Ryan Herman, from the point, on assist from Bruce Gustafson off the faceoff.
  • Bob Jensen (first of the season!), from Bruce Gustafson
  • Mike Montgomery, newly moved up to wing in the 3rd, from Brian Armagost
  • Bruce Gustafson, from Brian Armagost (again)

Penalties tonight:

• First period:
  • Paul LaCosse, for tripping (Paul, they’ve got your number...)
• Second period:
  • Dave Schliesman, for slashing

And, yes, they were innocent (this week).

Goalkeeper Jeff Keacher saw 28 shots (10, 5, 13), stopping 20.