Squirrels 6, Chupacabras 5

Nevermind that the Chupacabras haven’t beaten the Squirrels in the last ten games they’ve played each other. The Chupacabras came ready for a fight Tuesday and put forth a solid effort, but the Squirrels found a way to win in a seesaw game, 6-5.

The Chupacabras got the scoring started at 3:58 of the first period before Chris Wautel’s slap-shot hit net and tied the game at 7:54. A Squirrels’ turnover led to another Chupacabras goal, and then the Chupes took a 3-1 lead at 12:47 of the first period.

Then the second period started, and the Squirrels woke up. Five minutes in, Wautel got his second goal of the game off of a rebound, then Chris Long tied the score only 10 seconds later. At 9:19, Ben Sumner’s face-off win went right to Jeff Ford’s stick, and Ford wristed in a shot to give the Squirrels the 5-4 lead. But the Chupacabras tied the game again about a minute later.

With the game tied 4-4, the Squirrels took a penalty. That hardly mattered, because Tony Richelsen skated around everyone and gave the Squirrels the lead. Less than 30 seconds later, the Chupacabras tied the game again, 5-5. At 15:37, Jon Magi darted behind the Chupes’ net and sent a pass out front to Ford, who sank in the game-winner.

The Squirrels played without Don Marks, Wade Marks, Phil Van der Vossen and Juan Canchasto.

The next game is Tuesday, June 26, at 8:30 against Washington Whale.