Category Archives: Ice

This is news about ice hockey.

Squirrels 5, Cobras 2

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Well-Dressed Squirrels Win in Rockville

An absurd number of power plays and improved all-around play made the difference for the Squirrels in their 5-2 victory Thursday against the Cobras in the regular-season finale.

The game started with Hockey North America’s referees enforcing the dress code and penalizing the Cobras 3 times û including twice at once û with minors during the first period. Even the Squirrels didn’t care that their opponents had mismatched helmets or socks, violations under HNA rules. If it was any consolation to the Cobras, the Squirrels failed to score in the first period, but it helped the Squirrels hold them to only 3 shots.

Chris Long got the scoring started during an early second-period power play on a centering pass from Don Marks. Long scored his second during a penalty kill soon after, assisted by Wade Marks. Later, Long’s rebound fell behind the net to Jared Genser who put it in the net during another power play, to put the Squirrels up 3-0. The Cobras had only 4 shots in the second period.

The Cobras put on far greater intensity and cut the lead to 3-2 in the third period. They posted 14 shots and scored twice during flurries around the net, including once during the first half of a double-minor penalty. The Squirrels killed the remainder of that penalty, and afterward took back control of the game. Don Marks û only one of four defensemen to suit up û scored on his second breakaway of the period, assisted by Philip Van der Vossen and goaltender Drew Theimann. With less than a minute to go in the game, Ben Sumner and Wenograd forechecked the Cobras deep in the zone during a penalty kill. After several takeaways, Wenograd shot from near the point and Sumner flipped in a backhanded rebound for the second short-handed goal. It was Sumner’s first goal in seven games. The Squirrels went 2 for 7 on the power play, and scored in 2 of 5 short-handed situations while only giving up one goal on the penalty kill.

The Squirrels played without Juan Canchasto, Charles Wolstein, and Jon Magi. For the first time in months, the Squirrels skated four sets of wingers and three centers. The playoffs begin Sunday, April 10, 7:45 p.m. in Wheaton, also against the Cobras. Center Matt Borlik will miss all of the playoffs due to a scheduling conflict.

Photo Gallery: March 24, 2005

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Panthers 3, Squirrels 2

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In one of the most intense games of the season, the Screaming Squirrels came within two minutes of posting a victory Sunday, but lost the lead and then the game in overtime to the Panthers, 3-2.

First place in the division, the Panthers had already beaten the Squirrels twice this season, and the Squirrels knew they were in for a fight. After skating to a scoreless first period, the Panthers were first to strike with a bouncer from the point after the Squirrels failed to clear the zone. In the third period, defenseman Chi Pham skated around several players and sunk a shot from the left side to put the Squirrels on the board. Minutes later, Greg Wenograd scored as the second line kept up the pressure in the offensive zone.

With two minutes remaining, the Squirrels again failed to clear the zone and the Panthers took advantage to tie the game. With only seconds left, the Squirrels unleashed a series of shots in a final attempt to win in regulation. As the buzzer sounded, frustration set in, and the Squirrels took two end-of-regulation penalties, and headed into overtime one man down. The Panthers kept up the pressure and scored on the second shift during their power play.

Matt Borlik started in net for the first time this season for the Squirrels, making 22 saves. Oriana Senatore assisted on both goals, and Wenograd also had an assist.

The Squirrels played without starting goaltender Drew Thiemann, defenseman Sergio Balatan, and forward Jared Genser, who was in West Africa.

The next game is Thursday, March 31, 8:20 in Rockville against the Cobras.

Squirrels 5, Barbarians 4

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Winger Wade Marks’ hat-trick saved the game for the Squirrels on Sunday night, as he netted the game winner in a 5-4 victory. The Squirrels outshot the Barbarians 46-11, dominated the offensive zone, yet didn’t seal the win until late in the game.

Marks got the scoring started by nailing in a rebound midway through the first period. Later, Chris Long scored shorthanded near the end of the Barbarians’ power play. With about a minute left in the period, one of the Barbarians covered the puck with his legs while lying in front of the net. Other Squirrels were calling for a whistle, but Philip Van der Vossen dug the puck from underneath the player and poked it past the goaltender.

The Barbarians managed to shut down the Squirrels in the second period and tied the game at 3, though the Squirrels continued to dominate in shots and possession. Early in the third, Marks scored his second of the game unassisted, but the Barbarians fought back and tied it up.

With about four minutes to go, Marks skated the puck into the zone and Matt Borlik followed. The forwards crossed, with Borlik drawing the defensemen, and Marks shot the puck in the top left corner, putting the Squirrels up for good.

Jared Genser also had a multi-point game with assists on Marks’ first goal and Van der Vossen’s. The Squirrels were missing Jon Magi, Joseph Wu and Robin Berlin. The next game is Sunday, March 20, 10 p.m. at Cabin John against the division-leading Panthers.

Squirrels 5, Stingrays 2

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Coming off a disappointing loss last week to a team in Division 5, the Screaming Squirrels needed to redeem themselves as they played another team from that division Sunday in Rockville. Defenseman Chi Pham almost single-handedly made that happen, scoring two unassisted goals in the first period and adding another in the third, spearheading a 5-2 victory against the Stingrays.

Chris Long also scored to put the team up 3-0 after one, but the Squirrels nearly lost the lead. The Stingrays scored two fastbreak goals, barely missed on a few other chances, and held the Squirrels scoreless in the second period.

Pham gave the Squirrels some breathing room in the third period, completing the hatrick and virtually locking up the game. Charles Wolstein later scored his first of the season from the blueline. Don Marks’ hard work at center set up the final two goals. The Squirrels finished with 36 shots on net, triple the total of the Stingrays.

Chi Pham before his hat-trick performance. The final scoreboard. The Squirrels skated without Greg Wenograd, Robin Berlin, Jon Magi, and Phil Van der Vossen, who attended the game and kept score. Van der Vossen hurt his knee while skiing last week, but expects to be back for next week’s game, Sunday at 6 p.m. in Wheaton against the Barbarians.

Forward Joseph Wu played his first game since October 21, when he tore his groin late in the game.

Photo Gallery: March 6, 2005