Playing their third game in four nights, the Screaming Squirrels had more skaters than usual Wednesday, as they took one last shot at getting any satisfaction out of this season. The Panic, however, put the Squirrels out of their misery with an 8-3 victory to advance to the next round of the playoffs.

Like Honkey Kong on Tuesday, Panic had a single player who factored into all of their critical scoring. No. 51, David Yermal, had five goals and one assist, almost single-handedly taking down the Squirrels.

The Squirrels, however, struck first, as Sergio Balatan carried the puck deep into the zone and centered directly to Phil Van der Vossen, who flipped the puck between the goaltender’s legs. Yermal scored a few minutes later and the game was tied at 1 after the first period.

In the second period, Yermal took over, scoring three more times and assisting on another as Panic took a 5-1 lead. With six minutes remaining in the game, Van der Vossen caused Panic’s goaltender to misplay the puck, and it went in as the Squirrels cut the lead to 5-2. Yermal answered with another goal, and then Ben Sumner did moments later, frustrating Panic’s goaltender. Panic then scored two more times late in the third period and that was it.

Sumner, Van der Vossen, Balatan, Don Marks, Adam Hughes, Matt Borlik, Greg Wenograd, Chris Long, Juan Canchasto, Chi Pham, and Drew Thiemann played for the Squirrels. Thiemann played defense as the Squirrels used a substitute goaltender.

The Squirrels finished the season 2-18, their worst record ever. They scored only 46 goals while giving up 159. Ben Sumner led the team in total scoring with 21 points including 13 goals. Matt Borlik led the team in assists with 9.

The fall/winter season will begin in mid-September. The Squirrels will be in a new division and will be skating several new players, including roller teammates Rob Myers, Ed Bager and Tony Richelson. Brian Jackson of the Panic is also expected to join the team.

The Screaming Squirrels have occasionally played well against Panic this season. Sunday, they didn’t have their best night – coming one short of a skunk – but it sadly wasn’t their worst, either, as they fell 11-2.

The game actually started well for the Squirrels, as Ben Sumner got a shot past the scrambling goaltender only 16 seconds into the game. Then Panic scored the next nine goals, often while circling around the zone as if they were on a power play. Sumner scored again with the help of the goaltender misplaying the puck, this time 24 seconds into the third period. Panic scored two more before the running clock ran out.

The Squirrels only had two substitutes. Sumner, Phil Van der Vossen, Matt Borlik, Chris Long, Juan Canchasto, Sergio Balatan, Chi Pham, and Drew Thiemann played.

The final regular season game of the season is Tuesday against Honkey Kong at 10 p.m. The Squirrels then have to play again Wednesday in the playoff qualifier against either Panic or Honkey Kong.