Honkey Kong 5, Squirrels 2

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Way back at the beginning of the season – and every game they had played in the past three years – the Screaming Squirrels beat Honkey Kong without a problem. The times have changed since April 25. In the final game of the regular ice season Tuesday, Honkey Kong won again, 5-2.

Don Marks got the scoring started for the Squirrels to tie the game at 1 in the first period. Marks then assisted on Ben Sumner’s goal in the second period as the Squirrels took the lead. Honkey Kong answered with four straight as the Squirrels began to get tired with only two subs on the bench. Despite that, the Squirrels ended up with a 26-24 shot advantage.

One player on Honkey Kong – Gary Konig, factored into all of their offense, with three goals and two assists. Last week, when he didn’t play, Honkey Kong edged the Squirrels 2-1, while the Squirrels played with only one sub for half of the game.

Marks, Sumner, Juan Canchasto, Phil Van der Vossen, Matt Borlik, Chris Long, Chi Pham and Drew Thiemann played for the Squirrels.

The playoff qualifier is Wednesday at 9:45 p.m.

Panic 11, Squirrels 2

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The Screaming Squirrels have occasionally played well against Panic this season. Sunday, they didn’t have their best night – coming one short of a skunk – but it sadly wasn’t their worst, either, as they fell 11-2.

The game actually started well for the Squirrels, as Ben Sumner got a shot past the scrambling goaltender only 16 seconds into the game. Then Panic scored the next nine goals, often while circling around the zone as if they were on a power play. Sumner scored again with the help of the goaltender misplaying the puck, this time 24 seconds into the third period. Panic scored two more before the running clock ran out.

The Squirrels only had two substitutes. Sumner, Phil Van der Vossen, Matt Borlik, Chris Long, Juan Canchasto, Sergio Balatan, Chi Pham, and Drew Thiemann played.

The final regular season game of the season is Tuesday against Honkey Kong at 10 p.m. The Squirrels then have to play again Wednesday in the playoff qualifier against either Panic or Honkey Kong.

Squirrels 5, 5 Holes 0

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In the final regular season game of the season Tuesday, a game that meant nothing in the standings, the Screaming Squirrels finally put together a near-flawless performance against a team that has had their number all year. They came away with a 5-0 victory against the 5 Holes, a win they sorely wanted going into the playoffs.

Don Marks scored the only goal of the first period, maneuvering around with a defenseman draped on him. The goal gave him 30 points for the season, a Squirrels’ record.

The Squirrels blew the game open in the second period with four goals, three on the power play. Tony Richelsen had a goal and Jeff Ford scored two with the odd man-advantage. Ed Bager scored at even strength.

Bob Sewell, who the Squirrels faced twice this season, had a 17-save shutout, and will likely play for them in the playoffs in place of Brian Byrne, who moved to New Jersey last week.

The playoffs start Thursday, August 25, at 8:30 p.m. against the qualifier winner.

Honkey Kong 2, Squirrels 1

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The Squirrels have lost in nearly every way possible this year. Blowouts. Holding a lead up until the last few minutes. Blowouts. On Tuesday, they found a new way while falling to Honkey Kong, 2-1.

After a scoreless first period, the two teams got into a scuffle, and two Squirrels players got ejected. That left them with one player on the bench and a five-minute major penalty to kill with half the game to play. The Squirrels easily killed it., but Honkey Kong eventually broke the scoreless tie late in the period.

Midway through the third period, which was shortened to ten minutes instead of 15, Ben Sumner sent a weak shot at the goaltender, who fumbled it in his glove and let it trickle in. Then Honkey Kong answered with two minutes remaining to take the lead. The Squirrels put on a late flurry and missed a shot by an inch in the final moments.

After playing last night with one sub, the Squirrels were already exhausted. Honkey Kong had at least two full lines, yet narrowly escaped with the victory.

The next game is Sunday, August 21, at 9:10 p.m. against the Panic.

Volcanoes 12, Squirrels 2

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In their last two games together, the Volcanoes have outscored the Squirrels, 20-0. On Sunday, they easily won again – but lost their shutout streak – with a 12-2 victory.

The Volcanoes were up 2-0 early when Desmond Richelson chased the puck into the left corner and centered to Ben Sumner, who flipped in a backhander. The Squirrels, playing with only one sub, lost their legs midway through the first period and gave up five more goals.

In the second period, Chris Long made one of his best plays of the season. With the puck, he streaked down the middle with defensemen around him, took a shot, got his own rebound and hammered it in to give the Squirrels their second goal.

But the Volcanoes, intent on scoring quickly, kept up the pressure, and the game ended with 10:49 to go in the third period because of the 10 goal rule. Of their 12 goals, only four players scored. In the five games the teams have played together, the Volcanoes hold the edge, 52-5.

Sumner, Richelson, Long, Phil Van der Vossen, Matt Borlik, Drew Thiemann, and Adam Hughes played for the Squirrels.

It’s a quick turnaround for the Squirrels, who play again Monday at 10:30 p.m. against Honkey Kong in Logsdon. The roller team then plays Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. against the 5 Holes.