Tag Archives: 2005 Roller

Hurricanes 4, Squirrels 1

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Byrne Bids Farewell to Squirrels

For three seasons, Brian Byrne was the man in net for the Squirrels, helping them produce three winning seasons and a championship. He was always one of the league leaders in goals against average and fewest goals allowed, and he often came up with big saves to keep the Squirrels in a game they had no business winning or tying. Byrne played his final game for the Squirrels on Tuesday, against a team that has always been a thorn in their side.

The Hurricanes, again, got the best of them. This was despite the fact that the Squirrels – who played with a full roster – posted 19 first-half shots, and controlled much of the second half as if they had a power play. But fast breaks, rebounds and second-chance shots led to four first-half goals for the Hurricanes. Don Marks put the Squirrels on the board with ten seconds remaining in the first period with a defender draped all over him. But that was all the Squirrels could manage offensively, despite a 28-21 shot advantage.

The Hurricanes used backup goaltender Bob Sewell, who the Squirrels had easily beaten earlier in the season when he subbed for the Fish.

Byrne will now move his family up to his native New Jersey to continue his career in education, and hopefully, roller hockey.

The Squirrels play their regular season finale against another team they haven’t beaten this season – the 5 Holes. The game is Tuesday, August 16, at 7:30 p.m. While meaningless in the C Division standings, the Squirrels hope to get some momentum going into the playoffs.

Squirrels 2, Bullhawks 2

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Playing against a much improved Bullhawks team, the Squirrels struck first Tuesday, but had to battle back and kill a late penalty to settle for a 2-2 tie.

Don Marks scored through a screen in the first period to put the Squirrels ahead. In the second period, the Bullhawks scored on a delayed penalty, and then again 34 seconds later to take the lead. Then Jeff Ford scored off of the goaltender’s shoulder to tie the game at two. The Squirrels killed off a four-minute penalty with less than five minutes remaining, saving the tie.

Ford’s goal was his 20th of the season, a team record.

Two games remain, both against the top two teams in the league. The next game is Tuesday, August 9, at 9:30 against the first-place Hurricanes.

Squirrels 9, Mors ab Alto 0

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Craving a victory after last week’s last-second loss, the Squirrels unleashed a flurry of offense against Mors ab Alto, easily winning 9-0 while only giving up five shots.

Jeff Ford led the way with four goals and two assists, as the Squirrels scored seven in the first period to force a running clock.

Mors Ab Alto had a huge disadvantage. Their leading scorer, Chris Wautel, played goaltender, and he had never played in net before. However, he still made 26 saves, and held the Squirrels to two goals in the second period. Matt Borlik played in net for the Squirrels, in place of Brian Byrne, and easily got the shutout. Byrne recently announced that he will be leaving the team soon as he takes a job in New Jersey.

Kit Watson returned after nearly three weeks out of town, while Phil Van der Vossen and Wade Marks missed the game for the Squirrels.

The victory locks up third place for the Squirrels, who have three games remaining before the playoffs. The next game is Tuesday, August 2, at 9:30 p.m. against the Bullhawks.

Fish 6, Squirrels 5

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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

Squirrels 6, Chupacabras 3

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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.