Honkey Kong did to the Squirrels what the Squirrels routinely did to them the last three years on Tuesday. They blew them out, 7-0.
Greg Wenograd, Chris Long, Matt Borlik, Ben Sumner, Adam Hughes, Desmond Richelson, Drew Thiemann, Juan Canchasto and Charles Wolstein played for the Squirrels, who lost their tenth game in a row.
The next game is Sunday, July 31 at 9:10 against the Panic.
With only one substitute Sunday, the Squirrels didn’t have the endurance to match Panic. And Panic didn’t even have a goaltender. Playing five against six skaters and an empty net proved to be a disadvantage as the Squirrels had difficulty getting it past a third defenseman. The game ended near the end of the second period when Panic went up 11-1. At that point, the Squirrels had no substitutes because of excessive penalties.
The Squirrels only had one official shot on goal because shots are only counted when they go in if the opposing team doesn’t have a goaltender. The Squirrels used a substitute goaltender, who plays for the Dead Kings. Matt Borlik, Charles Wolstein, Sergio Balatan, Ben Sumner, Adam Hughes and Desmond Richelson played for the Squirrels.
The next game is Tuesday, at 10:45 against Honkey Kong.
The Squirrels played a game Tuesday that they would like to soon forget, as the fell to the last-place Fish, 6-5, after giving up three goals in the final 1:07 of play, including the clincher with three seconds remaining.
There were several penalties in the game – ten on the Fish (including double minors) and five on the Squirrels. The Squirrels only took advantage twice, while giving up two shorthanded goals.
Don Marks had a goal and four assists for the Squirrels, figuring into all five of their goals. Meanwhile, no. 15 on the Fish had five of their goals, including the winner.
The Squirrels played without Matt Borlik, Chris Long, Kit Watson and Phil Van der Vossen.
The next game is Thursday, July 28, at 8:30 against More ab Alto.
Quote of the game: “We really lucky to get a tie.” – Rob Myers, in the locker room after the game
In three games so far this season, the undefeated Volcanoes have outscored the Squirrels 30-3, the latest a 10-0 game on Sunday night. Two more games remain between the teams later in August, and the Squirrels have shown few signs that they’re about to turn it around against this team.
While the Ice Gardens has in the past rearranged leagues midway through the season based on skill level, there has been no sign of it happening as of yet., despite a huge gap in the standings between the Volcanoes and Dead Kings, and the Panic, Squirrels and Honkey Kong.
Drew Thiemann, Matt Borlik, Chris Long, Adam Hughes, Sergio Balatan, Charles Wolstein, Juan Canchasto and Ben Sumner suited up for the Squirrels.
The next game is Sunday, July 24 against the Panic at 9:10.
The Squirrels started fast, slumped, then ran away in the second half for a 6-3 victory against the Chupacabras, their first win in three weeks.
On his first shift, Ben Sumner got the scoring started by knocking in a turnover in the crease. Less than a minute later, Jeff Ford scored in what seemed at the time could’ve been the beginning of a runaway game.
But the Chupacabras fought back, scoring twice in about a minute and again on the power play to take a 3-2 lead at the half.
In the second half, it was all Squirrels. Matt Borlik scored from the left circle. Rob Myers, returning from an off-ice injury, slammed in a slap shot. Ford scored again and so did Myers.
The Squirrels played two goaltenders – a sub during the first half and Brian Byrne in the second. Byrne was originally supposed to miss the game, but came anyway to the surprise of everyone. Byrne only faced five official shots, all of which turned out to be great saves that kept the Squirrels in the game. The Squirrels took several more penalties in the game than their opponent, especially in the second half, but manag’d to kill them off without a problem.
Andrew Lutzky, on the sub list this season, suited up for the Squirrels. Don Marks returned from his honeymoon, and Ed Bager made it to the game despite a mishap in the thunderstorm along the way. The Squirrels played without Phil Van der Vossen and Kit Watson.
The next game is Tuesday, July 19, at 10:30 against the Fish.
