Photo Gallery: Feb 27, 2005

Squirrels 6, Green Hornets 3

The Screaming Squirrels had two goals disallowed Sunday, and still skated away with a 6-3 victory against the Green Hornets at Wheaton Outdoor. The Squirrels are now 3-0 lifetime against the Hornets, who find themselves on the outside looking in on the playoffs.

Matt Borlik scored the first two for the Squirrels, but what would have been a natural hat-trick was taken away because of a crease violation. Chi Pham then put the Squirrels up 3-0 before Borlik scored again. Pham, who had an exceptional game on defense, scored once more and also assisted on Wade Marks’s goal. Marks also added two assists, as did Sergio Balatan. Every line spent significant amounts of time in the Hornets’ zone, often making it look like a power play. Jared Genser, Jon Magi and Joe Wu missed the game for the Squirrels, as did Juan Canchasto, who was celebrating his 22nd birthday. The next game is Sunday, Feb. 27, 9:40 p.m. at the Columbia rink against the Baltimore Bulldogs.

Cobras 4, Squirrels 2

Facing Division 4b rivals the Cobras on Sunday, the Screaming Squirrels couldn’t get much offense generated, fell 4-2, and dropped into third place in the standings. The Squirrels got on the board in the second period when Matt Borlik connected with Greg Wenograd for a shorthanded goal. However, the Cobras scored on that power play – a double minor – and once more later in the second period to go up 4-1. Midway through the third period, Wade Marks put in a rebound shot by Desmond Richelson, and the score stood at 4-2.

The Squirrels skated without Jon Magi, Sergio Balatan, Chris Long and Joe Wu, who missed his first game back from a three-month injury because of a delayed flight. The next game is Sunday, Feb. 20, 9:15 p.m. at the Wheaton outdoor rink against the Green Hornets, who the ôless-talented rodentsö beat earlier this season, 4-2.

Panthers 9, Squirrels 2

Playing their division rivals for the second time this season, the Screaming Squirrels put forth an amazing effort Tuesday, outshooting the Panthers, 30-18. In the previous game against them, the Squirrels only managed 11 shots.

The Squirrels got on the board in the second period when Chris Long forced a turnover deep in the zone, and passed to Ben Sumner who scored with a pinball shot through the goalie’s pads. In the third, Adam Hughes finished off a Don Marks led flurry around the net for the Squirrels’ second goal.

Wade Marks, Jon Magi, Oriana Senatore, Jared Genser, Drew Thiemann, Joe Wu and alternate Chi Pham all missed the game for the Squirrels, who dropped to 4-8-1 on the season.

Incidently, the Squirrels lost the game, 9-2, while skating without a goaltender.

They next play the Cobras on Feb. 13 at 10:30 p.m. in Rockville.

Invaders 4, Squirrels 1

In a game that will be remembered more for its timekeeping than its outcome, the Screaming Squirrels fell to the Invaders on Sunday, 4-1. With only one referee and no scorekeeper, periods were counted with a 25-minute running clock, as opposed to the regular 15-minute periods with stoppages.

Despite controlling the offensive zone most of the first period, the Invaders, now 9-3 in the 4A Division, couldn’t crack the scoreboard until they sent in a floater from the point in the second period. The Squirrels answered on the power play, as Juan Canchasto tipped in a pass through the goaltender’s pads. The Invaders took the lead again only seconds later, then scored twice in the third on breakaways. The scoreboard, meanwhile, blanked out several times in the later half of the game, leaving the teams to wonder how much time was left.

The Squirrels skated without Don Marks, Jared Genser, Jon Magi, and Joe Wu. Defenseman Chi Pham injured himself late in the game and is out indefinitely. Adam Hughes also left the game early.

The next match is Tuesday, 10 p.m., at the Wheaton Indoor Rink against the Division 4B leaders the Panthers. The Squirrels previously lost to them, 4-1, in December.