Author Archive: Ben Sumner

5 Holes 5, Squirrels 2

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Sixteen to zero. That was the number of penalty minutes for the Squirrels versus what was called on the 5 Holes on Tuesday.

Skating just a minute short of half the game with a player in the penalty box, the Squirrels couldn’t come back from a 3-0 halftime deficit and lost their first game of the 2005 roller season, 5-2. The Squirrels did manage to kill off all of the penalties, including a two-man deficit for 20 seconds, but the 5 Holes struck at even strength. In the second half, despite playing 10 of 17 minutes shorthanded, the Squirrels had the shot advantage, 15-10, getting goals from Ed Bager and Don Marks. The 5 Holes outshot the Squirrels in the game, 24-22.

The 5 Holes became the final undefeated team in the C division. The Squirrels skated without Wade Marks. The next game is May 26 at 9:30 against the Chupacabras.

Squirrels 3, Hurricanes 3

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It was another game to remember for the Screaming Squirrels and the Hurricanes, and it was the shortest one yet. With the hour running out and the referees intent on keeping the following games on schedule, they removed three minutes off of the clock in the final period, with the Squirrels down 3-1. The Squirrels fought back and forced a 3-3 tie despite the loss of time, and remain undefeated this season.

Down 1-0 only 30 seconds into the game, the Squirrels put on pressure but couldn’t get anything into the net until Matt Borlik and Chris Long connected for Borlik’s goal midway through the first period. Don Marks scored early in the second period on the power play, and Kit Watson tied it at three with a perfectly-placed shot to the far upper right-hand corner of the goal. A late flurry around the net with six seconds remaining nearly got the Squirrels the victory. Watson assisted on the first two goals. Goaltender Brian Byrne made 27 saves as the Squirrels countered with 26 shots.

The next game is Tuesday, May 10, at 7:30 p.m. against the 5 Holes.

Dead Kings 11, Squirrels 5

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Long before the Dead Kings scored from the blue line with one second remaining in the first period, the Screaming Squirrels knew they were in for it. Down 6-0 after the first period, and generating virtually no offensive chances, there was only a running clock and a 10-0 skunk to look forward to. Only the running clock happened. And then it didn’t. And then it did. And then it didn’t.

Down 7-0 in the second period, Ben Sumner sent a high knuckler from the right circle over the goaltender’s shoulder to put the Squirrels on the board. In the third period, Sumner flipped in another shot after the goaltender fumbled the puck in front of the net. The Dead Kings responded with a couple more goals after that, and then Phil Van der Vossen scored after putting on deep pressure in the zone with Matt Borlik.

Later in the period, Sumner centered to Jared Genser, who shot a point-blank wrister past the goaltender. Adam Hughes scored the fifth goal of the game for the Squirrels, but it was well short of the 11 that the Dead Kings put up. The Squirrels were outshot, 42-20.

The Squirrels, who had only two defensive lines and seven forwards, played without both Don and Wade Marks, and none of their part-time players. The next game is Sunday, May 15, at 10:45 p.m. against the Panic in Logsdon.

Squirrels 8, Fish 2

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It was another night of point-padding for the Screaming Squirrels as they rolled past the new C-2 team, the Fish, 8-2 on Thursday. The game started slow again, however, and the Squirrels only outshot their opponents 21-18. Up 3-1 after 17 minutes, the Squirrels broke the game open in the second half, scoring virtually at will.

The Marks brothers, Don and Wade, each had two goals, while Matt Borlik, Kit Watson, Ben Sumner and Tony Richelsen had the others.

The Squirrels played without Rob Myers, Jeff Ford and Chris Long. The next game is Thursday, May 5, against the undefeated Hurricanes.

Squirrels 7, Bullhawks 2

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The scoreboard was deceiving in the Squirrels’ 7-2 victory Tuesday. The Bullhawks put up a fight, setting up plays, getting good shots, and even outshooting the Squirrels 25-24. It was Brian Byrne’s goaltending that made the difference. Byrne made several spectacular saves, even when the game was out of reach for the Bullhawks.

Ed Bager, Jeff Ford, and Don Marks each had two goals, and Phil Van der Vossen had the other for the Squirrels, who played without Wade Marks.