Category Archives: News

Looking Back on a Decade of Hockey

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It’s been more than ten years since the group of people now known as the Screaming Squirrels started skating together on a rag-tag roller hockey team at the Gardens Ice House in Laurel. In that time, the Squirrels have played roller hockey each summer, and started ice in late 2003. As you can imagine, players have several memories of their time with the Squirrels over the years.

“Feeding the puck to Rob for the championship-winning goal against Dog Star will always be my highlight,” says Matt Borlik, who started with the team in 2002 as a backup goaltender. His runner-up memory? “Runner-up is meeting Tom and Rob for the first time at a pickup rink and nearly getting in a fight with Tom (who apparently was a like an Army Ranger or something). Then somehow getting invited to the Squirrels as a backup goalie a week later (I forget how that happened), meeting the team, and finding out Tom was the captain.” Yes, that’s how Matt met us.

Mike Bronson, who played with the ice team for three seasons before darting off to Chicago, also has several favorite moments. “Dan Carter bringing a new girlfriend around to every season. That big win over Scurvy of course. The same season we played Scurvy we played the Cruisers. We hadn’t won all season (I think we tied Laughing Skulls). I got in a fight with some of those douchey twins on that team and we ended up pulling out the victory.”

Bronson, who also got into a fight and got suspended for three games in his first season with the Squirrels, was also fond of the game where he frustrated the Vikings, including one of their to players who was on the verge of tears.

Personally, my favorite Squirrels moment was winning our first non-shared roller championship in 2005, and winning our first underdog ice championship in 2006.

For those who need a reminder, the first roller championship in 2003 was technically shared. For some reason, the league thought it was a good idea to make the championship game best-of-three. The Squirrels easily won Game One, but the Hurricanes somehow won Game Two. Game Three was canceled because Hurricane Isabel tore through the region.

The Squirrels also won their first ice championship on 2004 in the beginner league, but they were undefeated that year and it was pretty much a cake walk, as was the 2010 ice championship.

The Squirrels also had many off-ice memorable moments, particularly Phil Van der Vossen’s wedding and the years team parties that ended in D.C.

Here’s to another decade of the Screaming Squirrels.

Squirrels Shut Out Again

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Offense continued to be the Squirrels’ major problem Sunday as a full bench couldn’t squeak a shot past Scurvy in a 3-0 loss. Scurvy, however, did bring up a mid-season ringer, who wasn’t even on the roster and had to be pulled aside during the game to be verified, while contributing two goals in his only game of the season.

The Gardens IH – Patrick      Sun, Dec 19, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Squirrels 0 Scurvy II 3
Game Details
Scoring Shots on Goal
1 2 3 Total
Screaming Squirrels 0 0 0 0
Scurvy II 1 0 2 3
Squirrels 17
Scurvy II 21
Scoring Summary
Period 1
Scurvy II – Ari Eagle (unassisted) , 3:55
Period 2
(no scoring)
Period 3
Scurvy II – Scott Striegel (unassisted) , 2:24
Scurvy II – Ari Eagle (unassisted) , 10:38
Penalties
Period 1
Screaming Squirrels – Robert Valdes – (Tripping Minor), 2 min , 9:35
Screaming Squirrels – Robert Myers – (Slashing Minor), 2 min , 13:03
Period 2
Scurvy II – David Ditch – (Unsportsmanlike Conduct Minor), 2 min , 6:04
Screaming Squirrels – Robert Myers – (Tripping Minor), 2 min , 8:38
Screaming Squirrels – Brent Machado – (Holding Minor), 2 min , 14:02
Period 3
Scurvy II – David Ditch – (Tripping Minor), 2 min , 7:12
Screaming Squirrels – Robert Myers – (Slashing Minor), 2 min , 10:38
Scurvy II – Jay Costenbader – (Roughing Minor), 2 min , 13:34
Screaming Squirrels – Michael Ricci – (Roughing Minor), 2 min , 13:34
Scurvy II – Jay Costenbader – (Unsportsmanlike Conduct Minor), 2 min , 13:34
Rosters
Screaming Squirrels Scurvy II
Goalies
Name Min Shots Saves
30 Eric Coulson 45 21 18
Name Min Shots Saves
0 Sub S Tougas 45 17 17
Players
# Name G A PTS PIM GWG
1 Mark Tessar 0 0 0 0 0
4 Chi Pham 0 0 0 0 0
5 Robert Valdes 0 0 0 2 0
7 Doug Winters 0 0 0 0 0
8 John Burke 0 0 0 0 0
9 Charles Wolstein 0 0 0 0 0
10 Brent Machado 0 0 0 2 0
12 Anthony Richelsen 0 0 0 0 0
16 Michael Ricci 0 0 0 2 0
18 Robert Myers 0 0 0 6 0
19 Benjamin Sumner 0 0 0 0 0
22 Jeffrey Bobeck 0 0 0 0 0
61 Tero Moberg 0 0 0 0 0
# Name G A PTS PIM GWG
8 Jay Costenbader 0 0 0 4 0
14 Dave Stephens 0 0 0 0 0
17 Thomas Robertson 0 0 0 0 0
22 Scott Striegel 1 0 1 0 0
26 Ari Eagle 2 0 2 0 1
30 Robert Borthwick 0 0 0 0 0
37 Gregory Lauer 0 0 0 0 0
55 Jeff Kagan 0 0 0 0 0
66 David Ditch 0 0 0 4 0
95 Spencer Berk 0 0 0 0 0
Other facts
Referee
Default Referee, Brian Antkowiak, Phil DakeScorekeeper
Amanda Kozay

Squirrels 7, Laughing Skulls 1

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With only three subs on the bench, the Screaming Squirrels were in desperate need of goals and a win after a recent slump. And they got it.

With only two true defensemen in the lineup, the Squirrels moved forward Jeff Bobeck back to skate with Tony Richelsen and Doug Winters. That worked fine as the Squirrels limited the Skulls to 18 shots with Eric Coulson turning away 17 of them.

Brent Machado got the scoring started in the first period, but the shifts were long and the Squirrels knew there was a lot more time left. The Skulls goaltender, Shane Smith, made many great saves and kept the Squirrels moving by playing the puck instead of allowing the face-off, which would’ve enabled the Squirrels to catch their breath.

The second period ended up being even better for the Squirrels as Mark Tessar (from the roller team) scored in the first game back on the ice in several years. Tony Richelsen added another late in the period and the Squirrels took a 3-1 lead into the third period.

But the Skulls struck back as Vincent Barracchini’s individual effort cut the lead to 3-1.

Then Smith made a mistake. Skating out of the crease to clear the puck, he hit it right to Machado, who wristed a shot into an empty net, deflating the Skulls. A few minutes later, Machado completed the hat trick, then Doug Winters did his Mike Green at-his-best impression with some sort of spinorama move. Richelsen scored again shortly after, and it appeared he had scored once more from behind the blue line but the play was called offsides. Regardless, the Skulls weren’t happy that Smith had let in the shot, though it ended up helping the Skulls because the faceoff went into the Squirrels’ zone.

With just a few seconds remaining, Bobeck got into a minor scuffle with someone, but Barracchini took exception and clobbered Bobeck from behind. Barracchini is about a foot taller and 100 pounds heavier than Bobeck and literally blindsided him. The refs ended the game on the play, giving Barracchini a five minute major and game misconduct.

The Gardens IH – Patrick      Sat, Dec 11, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Squirrels 7 Laughing Skulls 1
Game Details
Scoring Shots on Goal
1 2 3 Total
Screaming Squirrels 1 2 4 7
Laughing Skulls 0 0 1 1
Squirrels 27
Laughing Skulls 18
Scoring Summary
Period 1
Screaming Squirrels – Brent Machado (Doug Winters) , 12:20
Period 2
Screaming Squirrels – Mark Tessar (Brent Machado, Benjamin Sumner) , 5:30
Screaming Squirrels – Anthony Richelsen (unassisted) , 13:33
Period 3
Laughing Skulls – Vincent Barracchini (unassisted) , 3:13
Screaming Squirrels – Brent Machado (unassisted) , 6:29
Screaming Squirrels – Brent Machado (John Burke) , 9:06
Screaming Squirrels – Doug Winters (unassisted) , 10:26
Screaming Squirrels – Anthony Richelsen (Jeffrey Bobeck) , 11:59
Penalties
Period 1
(no penalties)
Period 2
Screaming Squirrels – Brent Machado – (Body Checking Minor), 2 min , 8:17
Laughing Skulls – Peter Gruhn – (Body Checking Minor), 2 min , 8:40
Laughing Skulls – Paul Keys – (High Sticking Minor), 2 min , 10:43
Laughing Skulls – James Ningen – (Body Checking Minor), 2 min , 12:18
Screaming Squirrels – Jeffrey Bobeck – (Elbowing Minor), 2 min , 12:18
Period 3
Laughing Skulls – Vincent Barracchini – (Charging Major), 5 min , 14:54
Laughing Skulls – Vincent Barracchini – (Charging Game Misconduct), 10 min , 14:54
Screaming Squirrels – Jeffrey Bobeck – (Interference Minor), 2 min , 14:54
Rosters
Screaming Squirrels Laughing Skulls
Goalies
Name Min Shots Saves
30 Eric Coulson 45 18 17
Name Min Shots Saves
35 Shane Smith 45 27 20
Players
# Name G A PTS PIM GWG
7 Doug Winters 1 1 2 0 0
8 John Burke 0 1 1 0 0
10 Brent Machado 3 1 4 2 0
12 Anthony Richelsen 2 0 2 0 0
16 Mark Tessar 1 0 1 0 1
19 Benjamin Sumner 0 1 1 0 0
22 Jeffrey Bobeck 0 1 1 4 0
61 Tero Moberg 0 0 0 0 0
# Name G A PTS PIM GWG
3 Mike Ohanian 0 0 0 0 0
4 Patrick Herwig 0 0 0 0 0
7 James Ningen 0 0 0 2 0
18 Douglas Church 0 0 0 0 0
19 Christopher Tucker 0 0 0 0 0
024 Nate Heard 0 0 0 0 0
24 Vincent Barracchini 1 0 1 15 0
39 Anthony Campanella 0 0 0 0 0
49 Peter Gruhn 0 0 0 2 0
54 Michael Davis 0 0 0 0 0
77 Paul Keys 0 0 0 2 0
Other facts
Referee
Default Referee, Larry Bertrand, Justin RalstonScorekeeper
Terri Ball

Squirrels Lose 2-0 in Gassert’s Final Game

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For the 2nd time in their past 3 games, the Squirrels were unable to get on the scoreboard, falling to the undefeated first place Highlanders, 2-0. The game marked defenseman Kyle Gassert’s final game in a Squirrels uniform.

From the opening face-off, the Squirrels seemed to be on their heels trying to contain the Highlanders’ superior team speed. The Squirrels were unable to sustain much pressure on Highlanders’ goalie Nicholas Labarre despite the scorekeeper’s apparent neurosis in awarding the Highlanders only 17 shots on goal versus giving the Squirrels 21. Puck possession was heavily in the Highlanders’ favor and for most of the game, the ice was tilted towards the Squirrels’ defensive zone.

The Highlanders were finally able to solve goalie Eric Coulson while enjoying a power play. Squirrels forward Brent Machado was sent to the box for an interference penalty and Highlanders forward Jeff Gellman buried a wicked wrister through a Squirrels’ defenseman’s legs and past Coulson’s blocker for the power play (and eventual game winning) tally.

It was Coulson’s only blemish on the night. Solid stops from the goalie included a double pad stack stick save sliding to his left on a rebound opportunity in the 1st period, and a Sportscenter worthy glove save on a 2-1 rush against in the 3rd.

Kyle Gassert joined the Squirrels during the Fall/Winter season of 2009-10 and was an important member of that team which almost went undefeated and won the Bronze 2 Championship. Known for his hard slapshot and smart and aggressive defensive play, Kyle was a popular guy in the locker room, always quick with a sly comment. He and the previously departed former Squirrel Mike Bronson, will be the founding members of the Squirrels’ second iteration in the Chicago metropolitan area. Who will be the next Squirrel to depart for the midwest? Cheers to you Kyle. Kyle ends his Squirrels ice career with 7 goals and 6 assists for 13 points along with 20 PIMs in 28 regular season games and 4 assists and 2 PIMs in the Squirrels’ 3-game march to the 09-10 league championship.

The Gardens IH – Resor      Sun, Nov 21, 2010 at 10:13 pm
Squirrels 0 The Highlanders 2
Game Details
Scoring Shots on Goal
1 2 3 Total
Screaming Squirrels 0 0 0 0
The Highlanders 0 1 1 2
Squirrels 21
The Highlanders 17
Scoring Summary
Period 1
(no scoring)
Period 2
The Highlanders – Jeff Gellman (power play) (Justin Smith) , 11:13
Period 3
The Highlanders – Jeff Gellman (short handed) (empty net) (unassisted) , 14:54
Penalties
Period 1
Screaming Squirrels – Brent Machado – (Hooking Minor), 2 min , 7:18
The Highlanders – Nick Newman – (Hooking Minor), 2 min , 8:22
Period 2
Screaming Squirrels – Brent Machado – (Interference Minor), 2 min , 9:26
Period 3
The Highlanders – Justin Smith – (Interference Minor), 2 min , 1:51
Screaming Squirrels – Michael Ricci – (Slashing Minor), 2 min , 3:28
Screaming Squirrels – Michael Ricci – (Slashing Minor), 2 min , 12:21
The Highlanders – Matthew Journy – (Boarding Minor), 2 min , 14:14
The Highlanders – Nick Newman – (Hooking Minor), 2 min , 14:27
Rosters
Screaming Squirrels The Highlanders
Goalies
Name Min Shots Saves
30 Eric Coulson 44 16 15
Name Min Shots Saves
33 Nicholas Labarre 45 21 21
Players
# Name G A PTS PIM GWG
2 Donald Marks 0 0 0 0 0
5 Robert Valdes 0 0 0 0 0
7 Doug Winters 0 0 0 0 0
9 Charles Wolstein 0 0 0 0 0
10 Brent Machado 0 0 0 4 0
12 Anthony Richelsen 0 0 0 0 0
16 Michael Ricci 0 0 0 4 0
19 Benjamin Sumner 0 0 0 0 0
22 Jeffrey Bobeck 0 0 0 0 0
25 Kyle Gassert 0 0 0 0 0
61 Tero Moberg 0 0 0 0 0
88 Jason Nehmer 0 0 0 0 0
# Name G A PTS PIM GWG
3 Matthew Journy 0 0 0 2 0
5 Joe Burkhardt 0 0 0 0 0
8 Jon Funk 0 0 0 0 0
10 Justin Smith 0 1 1 2 0
12 Rahul Paris 0 0 0 0 0
16 Jeff Gellman 2 0 2 0 1
36 Nick Newman 0 0 0 4 0
52 Steve Causey 0 0 0 0 0
91 Kevin Stitcher 0 0 0 0 0
Other facts
Referee
Default Referee, Tom Latona, David MortimoreScorekeeper
Thomas Haworth
Game Notes
no notes entered for this game

Squirrels Battle for 2-2 Draw vs. Heineken

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After the Squirrels jumped out to an early lead, Heineken Light scored two unanswered before a 3rd period marker from Brent Machado tied the game, allowing the Squirrels to secure a standings point.

Defenseman Don(nie) Marks opened the scoring for the Squirrels after his blast from the point found the top corner of the net. The seeing eye shot came after a nice play down below the goal line and some quality traffic in front by one or more Squirrels forwards. Heineken Light goalie J. Brodnax likely didn’t even see the shot until it was too late.

Heineken Light would answer later in the period with a goal from defenseman D. Deming. After gaining the zone on an end-to-end rush, Deming ripped a slap shot from just inside the blue line, then beat the defense to the juicy rebound and buried it along the ice and underneath goalie Eric Coulson.

The two teams would trade chances throughout the 2nd period. Defenseman Charles Wolstein had a wonderful offensive rush up the ice, beating at least 2 Heineken Light forwards along the boards and feeding a great cross-ice pass inside the offensive zone to a rushing Tony Richelsen. Unfortuantely, “T” could not bury the wrist shot, instead ringing it off the cross bar. The Squirrels were fortunate to get a few quick whistles to stop play as well as avoiding a goal against when a puck that almost squeaked across the goal line was swept out by an alert Donnie Marks.

Heineken Light broke the 1-1 deadlock with a power play goal late in the 2nd period. Playing in his next to last game as a Screaming Squirrel, defenseman Kyle Gassert committed what he he would surely call a boneheaded turnover in between the circles in his own zone while the Squirrels were on the penalty kill. J. Sybenga of Heineken Light corralled the loose puck, put a quick wrist shot on goal, and teammate M. Jenkins slid the rebound past a diving Eric Coulson.

But the Squirrels would not be deflated after giving up a late goal in the period. They came out in the 3rd with determination and created multiple chances by disturbing the Heineken Light breakouts. Machado’s game tying goal came on just such a play. “The Flying Fin” Tero Moberg was forechecking aggressively and was able to get his stick on an attempted breakout pass, deadening the puck in the high circle. Machado was in the right place at the right time, quickly pulled the puck to his forehand, and ripped a low wrister that beat Brodnax along the ice.

All in all, a well played, although sloppy at times, game for the Squirrels who, thankfully for this game, were able to enjoy some post game cold beers. Thanks Rob!! Speaking of Rob, who came out for the pre-game skate to test his injured back, brought the beer for his teammates, but didn’t stick around to see the end of the game, the quote of the night which must be captured for posterity’s sake goes to Donnie Marks. Regarding Rob’s bringing the beer then leaving before the end of the game, Ben Sumner complained, “How would you all like it if I brought beer then left early!?” To which Donnie responded, “That would be f–king awesome!” Good times.

The Gardens IH – Logsdon      Mon, Nov 15, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Heineken Light 2 Squirrels 2
Game Details
Scoring Shots on Goal
1 2 3 Total
Heineken Light 1 1 0 2
Screaming Squirrels 1 0 1 2
Heineken Light 30
Squirrels 29
Scoring Summary
Period 1
Screaming Squirrels – Donald Marks (unassisted) , 3:51
Heineken Light – Drake Deming (unassisted) , 12:36
Period 2
Heineken Light – Matt Jenkins (powerplay) (Justin Sybenga) , 14:04
Period 3
Screaming Squirrels – Brent Machado (tero moberg) , 5:26
Penalties
Period 1
Heineken Light – Joe Summers – (Cross Checking Minor), 2 min , 3:51
Screaming Squirrels – Robert Valdes – (Roughing Minor), 2 min , 7:40
Period 2
Heineken Light – Joe Summers – (Hooking Minor), 2 min , 6:38
Screaming Squirrels – Doug Winters – (Hooking Minor), 2 min , 12:30
Period 3
(no penalties)
Rosters
Heineken Light Screaming Squirrels
Goalies
Name Min Shots Saves
85 Jason Brodnax 45 29 27
Name Min Shots Saves
30 Eric Coulson 45 30 28
Players
# Name G A Pts PIM GWG
5 Joe Summers 0 0 0 4 0
8 Drake Deming 1 0 1 0 0
10 Tim Phelps 0 0 0 0 0
11 Brian Roelofs 0 0 0 0 0
15 Jaime Hyun 0 0 0 0 0
16 Kevin Ceponis 0 0 0 0 0
17 Dan Mauer 0 0 0 0 0
20 Matt Lewis 0 0 0 0 0
27 Matt Jenkins 1 0 1 0 0
89 Justin Sybenga 0 1 1 0 0
93 Ed Degeyter 0 0 0 0 0
# Name G A Pts PIM GWG
2 Donald Marks 1 0 1 0 0
5 Robert Valdes 0 0 0 2 0
7 Doug Winters 0 0 0 2 0
8 John Burke 0 0 0 0 0
9 Charles Wolstein 0 0 0 0 0
10 Brent Machado 1 0 1 0 0
12 Anthony Richelsen 0 0 0 0 0
16 Michael Ricci 0 0 0 0 0
19 Benjamin Sumner 0 0 0 0 0
25 Kyle Gassert 0 0 0 0 0
61 Tero Moberg 0 1 1 0 0
77 Jeff Headlee 0 0 0 0 0
Staff
Other Facts
Referee
Default Referee, Didier Devynck, Joseph OgulinScore Keeper
Jason Flanagan