Author Archive: Ben Sumner

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.

Squirrels 6, Honkey Kong 2

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The Screaming Squirrels made a quick statement in the Laurel ice league Monday, scoring two goals in the first 35 seconds of the game en route to a 6-1 victory against former roller division rival Honkey Kong. Don Marks and Greg Wenograd got the scoring started before the Squirrels went on a period-long scoring drought. Adam Hughes knocked in a pass from Desmond Richelson in the second, then Juan Canchasto scored two and Don Marks added his second goal in the third period.

Roller sniper and New Carrolton rink rat Joe Berrett played his first game as a Squirrel, putting up three assists on defense.

The Squirrels outshot Honkey Kong, 26-9. They skated without Jared Genser, Charles Wolstein, and Wade Marks.

The next ice game is Sunday, May 5, 7:40 p.m. against the Dead Kings.

Squirrels 7, Mors ab Alto 0

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The roller Squirrels played their most dominant game since last June on Thursday, running over Mors ab Alto, 7-0, with six different goal-getters.

Ben Sumner got the scoring started when he deflected in a Don Marks slapshot off the faceoff. Phil Van der Vossen scored from behind the net. Don Marks scored on a slapshot from the right point. Chris Long scored on a centering pass from Sumner. Kit Watson skated into the zone, went around everyone, and casually flipped the puck in the net. Don Marks scored again. And Wade Marks, shaking off a knee injury in the second half, easily knocked in a Watson pass. Team captain Ed Bager had three assists, and Don Marks led all scorers with four points.

The Squirrels’ only major mistake was taking a too-many-men-on-the-ice penalty in the second half. They led 5-0 after 17 minutes. Goaltender Brian Byrne had a seven-save shutout, the lowest shot total allowed by the Squirrels since they started keeping statistics.

The Squirrels have two roller games next week – Tuesday against the Bullhawks at 9:30, and Thursday against the Fish at 10:30. The first ice game of the season is Monday at 10:15 against Honkey Kong.

Playoffs: Cobras 3, Squirrels 2

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Squirrels Say Farewell to Hockey North America

Playing with only three regular defensemen, the Screaming Squirrels on Tuesday bid farewell to Hockey North America by losing in the playoffs to the Cobras, 3-2, in Wheaton.

Once again, the Squirrels outshot the Cobras, this time 23-20, and controlled the zone much of the time but had a hard time finishing. Down 1-0 after the first, the Squirrels had several power plays, including two two-man advantages, but couldn’t put the game away.

Phil Van der Vossen got the Squirrels on the board in the second period by putting in a rebound on a shot by Desmond Richelson. Later, on the power-play, Don Marks passed out front to Sergio Balatan, who top-shelved the puck to put the Squirrels up 2-1.

Midway through the third, the Squirrels turned the puck over at the blueline and the Cobras sent a floater through a screen to tie the game. After that, the Squirrels failed to score on power plays, breakaways and a penalty shot, and the game went into overtime. Needing a victory instead of a tie to move on to the finals, the Squirrels turned the puck over at the blue line again halfway through overtime, and the Cobras’ shot sailed in to end the game.

The Squirrels played without Matt Borlik, Chi Pham, Jon Magi, Charles Wolstein, and Juan Canchasto. Forward Adam Hughes played defense to make the lines even.

The Squirrels finished the season 8-13-1. Don Marks led the team in scoring with 19 points. Wade Marks led the team in goals with 11, and Don Marks and Balatan led the team in assists with 10 each.

The first game of the new Laurel season is Monday, 10:15 p.m. against former roller rival Honkey Kong.