In desperate need of a win, instead of just a moral victory, the Screaming Squirrels beat up on the Mighty Old Ducks on Wednesday with a 6-0 victory.
Matt Borlik got the scoring started a couple of minutes into the game, then Brent Machado got a power play goal and Greg Wenograd got one to put the Squirrels up 3-0. The Squirrels killed off four minor penalties – including a 5 on 3 – in the period before Machado scored his second with two minutes to go.
After an uneventful second period, Wenograd scored his second of the game at 11:55 of the third period, and Borlik scored his second of the game with 6:23 remaining.
A bit of unruliness broke out with :19 to go in the game, leading to Desi Richelsen’s one-game suspension for excessive penalties.
The Squirrels now head to the playoffs to defend their championship, and will finish in either 5th or 6th place depending on the outcome of the Gnu-Nordiques game on Sunday. If Gnu wins or ties, the Squirrels will play on Wednesday, otherwise they will play Tuesday.