Volcanoes 12, Squirrels 2

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.

Volcanoes 10, Squirrels 0

The Squirrels were laughing and carrying on in the locker room following the game Sunday, making the best of a lost season. They had just suffered another 10-0 defeat at the hands of the Volcanoes, this time with ten minutes remaining in the third period.

Despite the lopsided loss, there were some positive moments for the Squirrels, who were only playing with two substitutes. The Volcanoes didn’t score until midway into the first period, and were held scoreless during a four-minute power play. Matt Borlik, playing in net, made 31 saves.

The Squirrels did have a few quality chances, but just couldn’t get the puck past the goalkeeper. Greg Wenograd showed perhaps the most heart in the entire game for either team, as he streaked up mid-ice for a puck that a defenseman was lazily retrieving. Wenograd unfortunately didn’t get a shot away as several Volcanoes finally converged, but he made a play out of nothing while already skating on a long shift.

Borlik, Wenograd, Chris Long, Ben Sumner, Juan Canchasto, Wade Marks, Charles Wolstein and Adam Hughes played for the Squirrels. Goaltender Drew Thiemann missed the game as he is recovering from having his wisdom teeth removed. It was also his birthday.

The Volcanoes will go for their third consecutive 10-0 game against the Squirrels on Sunday, August 14, at 9:10 p.m. The Squirrels play again Monday, August 15, at 10:30 p.m. against Honkey Kong. Four regular season games remain.

Panic 3, Squirrels 2

Playing with a full line of forwards for the first time in a couple of months, the Squirrels put forth a valiant effort Sunday but couldn’t capitalize on a last-minute chance, and fell to the Panic, 3-2.

The teams skated to a scoreless first period and traded goals in the second. Chris Long put in a rebound off of Matt Borlik’s shot for the first goal, then the Panic answered a minute and a half later. With 3:15 remaining in the period, Borlik fed Wade Marks, who sent in a wrister to the top shelf. Again, the Panic scored on the next shift. In the third period, the Panic scored the winning goal with 8:39 remaining, and held on for the victory. All three Panic goals came after poor breakouts by the Squirrels.

The Squirrels killed all five of their penalties, sometimes looking more in control than the Panic. Drew Theimann made 28 saves for the Squirrels in net.

Thiemann, Borlik, Long, Wade and Don Marks, Desi Richelson, Charles Wolstein, Juan Canchasto, Ben Sumner, and Greg Wenograd played for the Squirrels.

The next game is Sunday, August 7, at 10:30 against the Volcanoes in Logsdon. Five games remain in the season.

Honkey Kong 7, Squirrels 0

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.

Panic 11, Squirrels 1

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.