Spiders take home limit in mallard hunting season

Nov. 28, 2021

The Spiders returned to action after Thanksgiving Sunday night, beating the Mallards 4–1. A total of three fans (who must’ve received some sort of email reminder…) turned out at New Hope North for the late-night tilt, the first time the Spiders have ever faced the Minnesota Mallards.

Halfway through the first, Mike Mettee, in his first game subbing with the Spiders this season, got the Spiders on the board, assists to Johnson and O’Connor.

A few minutes later, Harry Long set up Jon Pappone in the slot for a highlight reel goal, putting the Spiders up 2-zip. Poor Tampa Mike barely saw any action the entire period with the Spiders outshooting the Mallards, 11–2.

That pace continued in the second, though a few lazy plays by the Spiders led to the occasional chance. But the only marker came by Mike Schroeder, who banged one through traffic to give the Spiders a three-goal lead.

In the third, the Mallards decided complaining to the refs was their best strategy, and it apparently paid off, getting a goal on a breakaway following a blue-line turnover. They immediately called timeout to rally. Instead, the Spiders kept controlling, scoring again after earlier hitting two posts, this time with Long from Pappone and Johnson. The Spiders then strategically took a penalty to salt away the game, inconsiderately negated down to 4-on-4 by the Mallards.

Final score: 4–1. Final shots: 45–11.

The Spiders jump into a tie for third place in C3 West with the Royals, at 3–1. And will next face the winless Wildcats, next Sunday night, 9:20 p.m. at Highland. Bus, walk or carpools encouraged.