Coming off a disappointing loss last week to a team in Division 5, the Screaming Squirrels needed to redeem themselves as they played another team from that division Sunday in Rockville. Defenseman Chi Pham almost single-handedly made that happen, scoring two unassisted goals in the first period and adding another in the third, spearheading a 5-2 victory against the Stingrays.
Chris Long also scored to put the team up 3-0 after one, but the Squirrels nearly lost the lead. The Stingrays scored two fastbreak goals, barely missed on a few other chances, and held the Squirrels scoreless in the second period.
Pham gave the Squirrels some breathing room in the third period, completing the hatrick and virtually locking up the game. Charles Wolstein later scored his first of the season from the blueline. Don Marks’ hard work at center set up the final two goals. The Squirrels finished with 36 shots on net, triple the total of the Stingrays.
Chi Pham before his hat-trick performance. The final scoreboard. The Squirrels skated without Greg Wenograd, Robin Berlin, Jon Magi, and Phil Van der Vossen, who attended the game and kept score. Van der Vossen hurt his knee while skiing last week, but expects to be back for next week’s game, Sunday at 6 p.m. in Wheaton against the Barbarians.
Forward Joseph Wu played his first game since October 21, when he tore his groin late in the game.