Author Archive: Ben Sumner

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.

2004-05 Ice Results

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Finished 8-13-1

4/20/2005 Cobras (Playoffs) L 3-2 Wheaton
4/14/2005 ? ? ? ?
4/10/2005 Cobras (Playoffs) L 3-2
3/31/2005 Cobras W 5-2 Rockville
3/20/2005 Panthers L 3-2 Cabin John
3/14/2005 Barbarians W 5-4 Wheaton
3/6/2005 Stingrays W 5-2 Rockville
2/27/2005 Bulldogs L 4-3 Columbia
2/20/2005 Green Hornets W 6-3
Wheaton outdoor
2/13/2005 Cobras L 4-2 Rockville
2/1/2005 Panthers L 9-2 Wheaton indoor
1/30/2005 Invaders L 4-1 Rockville
1/24/2005 Green Hornets W 4-2
Wheaton outdoor
1/16/2005 Tigers W 5-4 Wells
1/5/2005 D.C. Bulldogs L 7-3 Wells
12/21/2004 Lords L 5-0 Wells
12/13/2004 Panthers L 4-1
Wheaton outdoor
12/8/2004 Moose L 7-3 Cabin John
11/24/2004 Americans L 4-1 Cabin John
11/17/2004 Cobras W 6-3 Wells
11/14/2004 Homerhawks L 5-1 Rockville
11/7/2004 Barbarians W 5-0 Tucker Road
10/21/2004 Vikings T 5-5

Squirrels 3, Chupacabras 3

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Ford Scores Two in Squirrels’ Debut

Newcomer Jeff Ford scored two goals, and came within inches of netting the winner with four seconds remaining, in the first roller game of the year Thursday against the Chupacabras. The Squirrels came away with a 3-3 tie while only skating two full lines.

Ford got the scoring started in the first period on a pass from Desmond Richelsen, and scored again in the second period. With 7 minutes remaining in the game, Ben Sumner scored shorthanded after Kit Watson drove it into the zone. Goaltender Brian Byrne made several outstanding saves, many at point-blank, to keep the Squirrels in the game. One odd moment came in the second half when his helmet came off before the Chupacabras scored, but the goal didn’t count because the rules state that the play must end for safety reasons.

The Squirrels took a 3-2 lead into the final minutes, but the Chupacabras scored on a late power play. The Squirrels were missing captain Ed Bager, Don Marks, Wade Marks and Matt Borlik.

The next roller game is Thursday, April 21, 8:30 against Mors ab Alto.

Also Thursday, only an hour after the roller game, the Squirrels ice team showed up for their playoff game against the Cobras in Wheaton. Unfortunately for both teams, the referees didn’t come. The teams scrimmaged for an hour or so. The makeup game will be announced later.

Playoffs: Cobras 3, Squirrels 2

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If there was any consolation to Sunday’s 3-2 playoff loss to the Cobras, it’s that the Squirrels will get to play again Thursday against the loser of Tuesday’s Panthers-Cobras game.

Like in last week’s 5-2 victory, the Squirrels outshot the Cobras and controlled the zone much of the game. But the shots didn’t start falling until late in the third period after the Cobras had already taken a 3-0 lead. The teams skated to a scoreless first period, and then the Cobras stormed out in the second, scoring on fastbreaks.

Adam Hughes finally put the Squirrels on the board with about 7 minutes remaining in the game, and Chi Pham scored from the blueline to cut the score to 3-2. But the Cobras held on, despite being outshot 27-17. The Squirrels played without Matt Borlik, Joseph Wu, and Jon Magi. Defenseman Don Marks played with a broken toe.

The next game is Thursday, April 14, 9:30 p.m. in Wheaton, only two hours after the first roller game of the season in Laurel.