Spiders end season on a high note

March 29, 2014

There was a certain symmetry to the season-ending win over the Royals Monday night. The win closes the Spiders first B3 season at an even 10-10 record. And the season started and ended with wins over the Royals.

The outcome was never in doubt as a Royals player ducked his head in the locker room, asking if they could forfeit as they only had six skaters. Not a chance… A seventh Royals skater arrived to make it slightly less lopsided. And the absence of Royal cheap shot artist Vance Trendov guaranteed a more friendly affair.

The Spiders wasted no time in taking control with Shawn Tromiczak, Matt Adelmann, Jim Maietta, and Geoff Kuppe all scoring first period goals. The second period brought more of the same with Tom Prausa (power play), Aaron Bedessem, Doug Thorson, Kuppe, and Bob Maietta extended the lead to 9-0.

Derk Jacobson played well in net and was looking for a shutout before the Royals finally knocked one past him in the opening seconds of the third. Shuffled lines saw Josh Cagle and Tim Stalpes moved to forward with Cagle scoring his only two goals of the season. Bob Maietta capped the scoring at a dozen.

It was a good day for padding the stats as Kuppe and Jim Maietta both finished with four points while Cagle, Bob Maietta, Thorson, Tromiczak, Adelmann, and Tim Stalpes had three. Derk Jacobson saved 29 shots while subbing for primary goaltender Brian Dow. Dow states he’s on schedule to return from an undisclosed lower body injury for the start of the 2014-15 season.

The 10-10 record and 20 points puts the Spiders in 5th place in the B3 West division behind the Lakers (34 points), Battle Cats (33), Ice Hogs (28), and Leftovers (25).

The playoffs are in full swing this weekend at Bloomington Ice Gardens. As of press time, both the Lakers and Battle Cats are leading their pools and each need one more win to advance to the B3 championship game. B3 West power! The championship game will be held at 3:45pm on Sunday, March 30th at BIG 3.

Summit is again sponsoring the AHA playoffs and, for the first time, they will be selling beer on championship Sunday. In an attempt to create a better atmosphere for the championship games, the league has pushed back start times to allow a better atmosphere (i.e. drunker and rowdier). The forecast shows a high temperature of 60 degrees on Sunday so break out the coolers and grills and head to Bloomington for some pre-game tailgate action.