Squirrels 3, Hurricanes 3

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.

Squirrels 8, Fish 2

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

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 7, Mors ab Alto 0

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.

Squirrels 3, Chupacabras 3

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.