Author Archive: Ben Sumner

Honkey Kong 2, Squirrels 1

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The Squirrels have lost in nearly every way possible this year. Blowouts. Holding a lead up until the last few minutes. Blowouts. On Tuesday, they found a new way while falling to Honkey Kong, 2-1.

After a scoreless first period, the two teams got into a scuffle, and two Squirrels players got ejected. That left them with one player on the bench and a five-minute major penalty to kill with half the game to play. The Squirrels easily killed it., but Honkey Kong eventually broke the scoreless tie late in the period.

Midway through the third period, which was shortened to ten minutes instead of 15, Ben Sumner sent a weak shot at the goaltender, who fumbled it in his glove and let it trickle in. Then Honkey Kong answered with two minutes remaining to take the lead. The Squirrels put on a late flurry and missed a shot by an inch in the final moments.

After playing last night with one sub, the Squirrels were already exhausted. Honkey Kong had at least two full lines, yet narrowly escaped with the victory.

The next game is Sunday, August 21, at 9:10 p.m. against the Panic.

Volcanoes 12, Squirrels 2

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In their last two games together, the Volcanoes have outscored the Squirrels, 20-0. On Sunday, they easily won again – but lost their shutout streak – with a 12-2 victory.

The Volcanoes were up 2-0 early when Desmond Richelson chased the puck into the left corner and centered to Ben Sumner, who flipped in a backhander. The Squirrels, playing with only one sub, lost their legs midway through the first period and gave up five more goals.

In the second period, Chris Long made one of his best plays of the season. With the puck, he streaked down the middle with defensemen around him, took a shot, got his own rebound and hammered it in to give the Squirrels their second goal.

But the Volcanoes, intent on scoring quickly, kept up the pressure, and the game ended with 10:49 to go in the third period because of the 10 goal rule. Of their 12 goals, only four players scored. In the five games the teams have played together, the Volcanoes hold the edge, 52-5.

Sumner, Richelson, Long, Phil Van der Vossen, Matt Borlik, Drew Thiemann, and Adam Hughes played for the Squirrels.

It’s a quick turnaround for the Squirrels, who play again Monday at 10:30 p.m. against Honkey Kong in Logsdon. The roller team then plays Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. against the 5 Holes.

Hurricanes 4, Squirrels 1

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Byrne Bids Farewell to Squirrels

For three seasons, Brian Byrne was the man in net for the Squirrels, helping them produce three winning seasons and a championship. He was always one of the league leaders in goals against average and fewest goals allowed, and he often came up with big saves to keep the Squirrels in a game they had no business winning or tying. Byrne played his final game for the Squirrels on Tuesday, against a team that has always been a thorn in their side.

The Hurricanes, again, got the best of them. This was despite the fact that the Squirrels – who played with a full roster – posted 19 first-half shots, and controlled much of the second half as if they had a power play. But fast breaks, rebounds and second-chance shots led to four first-half goals for the Hurricanes. Don Marks put the Squirrels on the board with ten seconds remaining in the first period with a defender draped all over him. But that was all the Squirrels could manage offensively, despite a 28-21 shot advantage.

The Hurricanes used backup goaltender Bob Sewell, who the Squirrels had easily beaten earlier in the season when he subbed for the Fish.

Byrne will now move his family up to his native New Jersey to continue his career in education, and hopefully, roller hockey.

The Squirrels play their regular season finale against another team they haven’t beaten this season – the 5 Holes. The game is Tuesday, August 16, at 7:30 p.m. While meaningless in the C Division standings, the Squirrels hope to get some momentum going into the playoffs.

Volcanoes 10, Squirrels 0

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The Squirrels were laughing and carrying on in the locker room following the game Sunday, making the best of a lost season. They had just suffered another 10-0 defeat at the hands of the Volcanoes, this time with ten minutes remaining in the third period.

Despite the lopsided loss, there were some positive moments for the Squirrels, who were only playing with two substitutes. The Volcanoes didn’t score until midway into the first period, and were held scoreless during a four-minute power play. Matt Borlik, playing in net, made 31 saves.

The Squirrels did have a few quality chances, but just couldn’t get the puck past the goalkeeper. Greg Wenograd showed perhaps the most heart in the entire game for either team, as he streaked up mid-ice for a puck that a defenseman was lazily retrieving. Wenograd unfortunately didn’t get a shot away as several Volcanoes finally converged, but he made a play out of nothing while already skating on a long shift.

Borlik, Wenograd, Chris Long, Ben Sumner, Juan Canchasto, Wade Marks, Charles Wolstein and Adam Hughes played for the Squirrels. Goaltender Drew Thiemann missed the game as he is recovering from having his wisdom teeth removed. It was also his birthday.

The Volcanoes will go for their third consecutive 10-0 game against the Squirrels on Sunday, August 14, at 9:10 p.m. The Squirrels play again Monday, August 15, at 10:30 p.m. against Honkey Kong. Four regular season games remain.

Squirrels 2, Bullhawks 2

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Playing against a much improved Bullhawks team, the Squirrels struck first Tuesday, but had to battle back and kill a late penalty to settle for a 2-2 tie.

Don Marks scored through a screen in the first period to put the Squirrels ahead. In the second period, the Bullhawks scored on a delayed penalty, and then again 34 seconds later to take the lead. Then Jeff Ford scored off of the goaltender’s shoulder to tie the game at two. The Squirrels killed off a four-minute penalty with less than five minutes remaining, saving the tie.

Ford’s goal was his 20th of the season, a team record.

Two games remain, both against the top two teams in the league. The next game is Tuesday, August 9, at 9:30 against the first-place Hurricanes.