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.

Squirrels’ Roller Schedule Released

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The Gardens Ice House released the 2005 schedule this week, and the Squirrels will find themselves playing many familiar opponents this summer. Returning to the C level are The 5 Holes, Hurricanes, Bullhawks, Mors ab Alto, and Chupacabres. The Fish are the only team the Squirrels haven’t yet seen. Noticeably missing this season are Honkey Kong and the Wolk Pack, teams that the Squirrels have never lost to. Also missing are the Alliance, and the 2004 champions The Rocks, who moved up to the B level.

If history is any indication, the Squirrels’ biggest rival this summer is bound to be the Hurricanes. The Squirrels-Hurricanes rivalry started in 2003 when the teams split the first two games of the championship before the deciding game was canceled due to Hurricane Isabel. In 2004, the teams split. In the first game, the Hurricanes shut down the Squirrels, 5-1. In the second game, the momentum was solidly in the Canes’ favor before a high-sticking incident drew blood on defenseman Kit Watson’s face, giving the Squirrels a five-minute power play that couldn’t expire due to scoring. Watson had a goal and two assists during that time, and late in the game Desmond Richelson shot in the game winner to give the Squirrels their most thrilling roller victory of the year.

The first team practice of the season will be Thursday, April 7 at 9:30 p.m. Several team members also play pick-up on Sunday mornings at the New Carrolton rink.

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.