Ice: Squirrels Come Up Empty

Goaltender Eric Coulson stood on his head, making save after save and keeping the Squirrels in a game that they had every opportunity to win. Despite dominance in the offensive zone and 40 shots on net, the Squirrels couldn’t crack Heineken goaltender Jason Brodnax, and fell 1-0 on a fluky second period goal. Coulson made 24 saves.

The Squirrels played with a full bench, and were only missing Desmond Richelsen, who is out for a couple of weeks. The next Squirrels game is Sunday, June 13 against the Nordiques.

The Gardens IH – Resor      Sun, May 23, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Heineken Light 1 Screaming Squirrels 0
Game Details
Scoring Shots on Goal
1 2 3 Total
Heineken Light 0 1 0 1
Screaming Squirrels 0 0 0 0
Heineken Light 25
Squirrels 40
Scoring Summary
Period 1
(no scoring)
Period 2
Heineken LightJaime Hyun (Matt Lewis, Matt Jenkins) , 11:30
Period 3
(no scoring)
Penalties
Period 1
(no penalties)
Period 2
Heineken LightMatt Lewis – (High Sticking Minor), 2 min , 2:50
Screaming SquirrelsBenjamin Sumner – (Hooking Minor), 2 min , 6:41
Screaming SquirrelsDaniel Carter – (Roughing Minor), 2 min , 8:02
Heineken LightBrian Roelofs – (Roughing Minor), 2 min , 8:02
Screaming SquirrelsTim Carter – (Slashing Minor), 2 min , 10:09
Heineken LightPatrick Devine – (Hooking Minor), 2 min , 14:23
Period 3
Screaming SquirrelsTim Carter – (Roughing Minor), 2 min , 14:59
Heineken LightPatrick Devine – (Roughing Minor), 2 min , 14:59
Screaming SquirrelsTim Carter – (Slashing Minor), 2 min , 14:59

Rosters
Heineken Light Screaming Squirrels
Goalies
Name Min Shots Saves
85 Jason Brodnax 45 40 40
Name Min Shots Saves
30 Eric Coulson 45 25 24
Players
# Name G A Pts PIM GWG
2 Patrick Devine 0 0 0 4 0
4 David Fishman 0 0 0 0 0
5 Joe Summers 0 0 0 0 0
9 Matt Lewis 0 1 1 2 0
10 Tim Phelps 0 0 0 0 0
11 Brian Roelofs 0 0 0 2 0
15 Jaime Hyun 1 0 1 0 1
17 Dan Mauer 0 0 0 0 0
27 Matt Jenkins 0 1 1 0 0
89 Justin Sybenga 0 0 0 0 0
# Name G A Pts PIM GWG
7 Doug Winters 0 0 0 0 0
9 Charles Wolstein 0 0 0 0 0
10 Brent Mochado 0 0 0 0 0
12 Anthony Richelsen 0 0 0 0 0
16 Michael Ricci 0 0 0 0 0
17 Daniel Carter 0 0 0 2 0
18 Robert Myers 0 0 0 0 0
19 Benjamin Sumner 0 0 0 2 0
22 Jeffrey Bobeck 0 0 0 0 0
39 David Steckel 0 0 0 0 0
44 William Rand 0 0 0 0 0
61 Tim Carter 0 0 0 6 0
77 Jeff Headlee 0 0 0 0 0

Laughing Skulls 4, Squirrels 3

Once again, continuing a disturbing trend to start the summer season, the Squirrels fell behind by giving up the first goal of the game, this time, on the very first shift of the game. They would fall behind 2-0 before finally getting on the board about mid-way through the 2nd period. In the end, the Squirrels could not entirely shut down the Laughing Skulls team and could not pot enough tallies to get the victory, and fell to 2-2 on the season.

Skulls forward John Lozupone opened the scoring a scant 24 seconds into the game with a knuckle ball floater from the top of the crease off of a feed from behind the net. As the 1st period wore on, the Squirrels seemed to struggle to get their feet under them at times and failed to generate much offense, while goalie Eric Coulson held the fort with several blocker, arm, and chest saves. The offensive woes continued on the power play in the 1st period, with the Squirrels going 0-3.

In the 2nd period, after going down by a deuce on the scoreboard, Brent Machado and newly signed free agent rookie, Tim Carter, brother of Squirrels veteran defenseman Dan Carter, decided they had had enough of this “Squirrels not scoring” crap and took matters into their own hands to score 2 straight and get the game tied up.  Brent’s goal came ala Mike Knuble, cleaning up the trash in the crease. Gotta love the dirty goals! Make a mess and clean it up! Tim’s first of the season came on an end-to-end rush (might we be seeing a lot of that this season “Timm-ah!”?) and a sharp angle as Tim just threw it on net and Skulls goalie Shane Smith misplayed it off the inside of his leg pad and into the back of the net. But alas, Eric could not keep the momentum going for his teamates and gave up a softie on a point shot.  “More then 9 times out of 10, I make that save. I don’t know what I was thinking really. Probably wasn’t. I saw it all the way. Just…I don’t know. It was a very deflating goal for me.”

In the 3rd period, Tim continued to lead the offense by himself, and on another zone to zone rush, picked a corner over the goalie’s glove hand and fired home a perfectly placed wrist shot. The Squirrels were back in it!!  Both teams likely knew the next goal would be the winner and tensions were high. Skull Eddie Zaruba, who had been skating strong all night, broke the deadlock with a rush right up the middle, splitting 2 Squirrels defensemen who decided to stop moving their feet to keep up with the rushing Skull, and beat Eric with a snapper 5-hole.

Additional notes:

– The Squirrels have failed to score more than 3 goals in any of the 4 games they’ve played this season.

– Defensman Dan Carter returned from a rumored hand injury to play big minutes.

– Forward Jeff Headlee had a strong game, using his speed to disrupt the Skulls’ breakouts and causing several turnovers.

– After a one game absence, forward Dave Fronapfel returned to the line up and played well, handling the puck skillfully and getting the puck up ice on a few rushes.

– Defenseman Des Richelsen is 3rd in the league in PIMs with 12.

– With an assist on Brent’s goal, forward Ben Sumner has a 2 game point scoring streak.

– Team scoring leader Brent Machado, with 5 points (3G, 2A), more than double any one else on the roster, is the only Squirrel on the league’s scoring leaderboard.

-Team’s next game is Sunday, May 23rd @ 10:10 PM against the league leading Heineken Light.

Laughing Skulls Bronze 2 4 Screaming Squirrels 3
Game Details
Scoring Shots on Goal
1 2 3 Total
Laughing Skulls 1 2 1 4
Screaming Squirrels 0 2 1 3
Laughing Skulls 14
Squirrels 18
Scoring Summary
Period 1
Laughing Skulls Bronze 2John Lozupone (Vladimir Semendyai, Mike Ohanian) , 0:24
Period 2
Laughing SkullsVladimir Semendyai (unassisted) , 1:06
Screaming SquirrelsBrent Mochado (Benjamin Sumner) , 6:14
Screaming SquirrelsTim Carter (unassisted) , 8:20
Laughing SkullsNic Zamora (Eddie Zaruba) , 11:42
Period 3
Screaming SquirrelsTim Carter (unassisted) , 3:13
Laughing SkullsEddie Zaruba (unassisted) , 8:30
Penalties
Period 1
Laughing Skulls Bronze 2Peter Gruhn – (Too Many Men Bench Minor), 2 min , 4:07
Screaming SquirrelsDesmond Richelsen – (Tripping Minor), 2 min , 6:43
Laughing SkullsVladimir Semendyai – (Holding Minor), 2 min , 7:17
Laughing SkullsJohn Lozupone – (High Sticking Minor), 2 min , 10:10
Period 2
Screaming SquirrelsWilliam Rand – (Interference Minor), 2 min , 13:10
Period 3
Screaming SquirrelsRobert Myers – (Slashing Minor), 2 min , 14:57
Screaming SquirrelsRobert Myers – (Slashing Minor), 2 min , 14:57

Rosters
Laughing Skulls Screaming Squirrels
Goalies
Name Min Shots Saves
35 Shane Smith 45 18 15
Name Min Shots Saves
30 Eric Coulson 45 14 10
Players
# Name G A Pts PIM GWG
3 Mike Ohanian 0 1 1 0 0
4 Patrick Herwig 0 0 0 0 0
7 James Ningen 0 0 0 0 0
10 Eddie Zaruba 1 1 2 0 1
12 Francis Conlon 0 0 0 0 0
18 Douglas Church 0 0 0 0 0
24 Vincent Barracchini 0 0 0 0 0
31 John Lozupone 1 0 1 2 0
39 Anthony Campanella 0 0 0 0 0
42 Vladimir Semendyai 1 1 2 2 0
49 Peter Gruhn 0 0 0 0 0
60 Michael Davis 0 0 0 0 0
77 Paul Keys 0 0 0 0 0
86 Nic Zamora 1 0 1 0 0
# Name G A Pts PIM GWG
5 Robert Valdes 0 0 0 0 0
7 Doug Winters 0 0 0 0 0
8 John Burke 0 0 0 0 0
9 Charles Wolstein 0 0 0 0 0
10 Brent Mochado 1 0 1 0 0
12 Anthony Richelsen 0 0 0 0 0
16 Michael Ricci 0 0 0 0 0
17 Daniel Carter 0 0 0 0 0
18 Robert Myers 0 0 0 4 0
19 Benjamin Sumner 0 1 1 0 0
21 Desmond Richelsen 0 0 0 2 0
22 Jeffrey Bobeck 0 0 0 0 0
42 David Fronapfel 0 0 0 0 0
44 William Rand 0 0 0 2 0
61 Tim Carter 2 0 2 0 0

Ice: Squirrels Battle Back for Victory

For the third straight game, the Screaming Squirrels surrendered the first goal of the game, but unlike last week’s 4-2 defeat, the Squirrels’ opponents weren’t able to build on their early lead, and timely goals from the Flying Finn, Tero Moberg, and assistant captain Ben Sumner were all that would be needed to knock off a strong Highlanders team.

Goalie Eric Coulson had a very strong game in net, seeing the puck extremely well, making all the saves he should have, and keeping rebound opportunities to a bare minimum. There was little to be done on the one Highlanders goal, as an errant pass (or was it a shot?) was deadened by defenseman Doug Winter, and landed right on the stick of Rahul Paris standing all alone just above Coulson’s crease. “I didn’t even know that guy was there all by himself. It’s like he materialized out of no where. I certainly would have made a different save selection had I’d known he was there.” No doubt, the double pad stack was not an ideal save selection.

But again, it was all the Highlander’s could muster. D-man Des Richelsen was throwing his ample weight around all night long after getting the verbal sparring going early with Highlander Joe Burkhardt. Former (and soon to be again?) Squirrel Jason Nehmer said post game, “What the hell was Des’s problem tonight? He nailed me hard twice.” Big Des took two penalties in the second period for playing the body rather than the puck, but he quickly learned his lesson and started playing the puck first, before dropping bombs on poor Highlander players. Des also brought the offense from the backend by spearheading the rush up ice that led to Sumner’s first of the young season, a well placed wrist shot along the ice.

Tero brought his typical junk yard dog mentality to the lineup for the first time this season (filling in for an injured Dan Carter and missing Rob Meyers) and scored what turned out to be the game winner on a perfectly placed wrist shot just inside the far post. Said the big Finn, “I was thinking I would try to go around him but then I looked and saw that spot.” Well played sir!

The Squirrel’s penalty killing deserves mention as well. The Highlander’s were 0-5 on the PP despite what seemed like ample time in the zone. Squirrel’s defensemen Winters and Charles Wolstein blocked shots with aplomb, forwards Tony Richelsen, Brent Machado, and Jeff Headlee denied time and space well and were ferocious battling for the puck, and rookies John Burke and Bill Rand were effective in clogging up passing lanes and generally creating havoc for the oncoming Highlanders.

A VERY satisfying win for the Squirrels against what most players thought was a somewhat more skilled Highlanders team. We buried our chances and denied theirs thanks to tenacious D and a stone wall in net.

Next game is Tuesday, May 18th @ 9:50 PM on the Resor rink against the Laughing Skulls. Who’s on beer duty?

Game Details
Scoring Shots on Goal
1 2 3 Total
The Highlanders 0 1 0 1
Screaming Squirrels 0 0 2 2
The Highlanders 26
Squirrels 30
Scoring Summary
Period 1
(no scoring)
Period 2
The HighlandersRahul Paris (Jason Nehmer) , 3:56
Period 3
Screaming SquirrelsBenjamin Sumner (Desmond Richelsen) , 2:48
Screaming SquirrelsTero Moberg (Brent Mochado) , 7:17
Penalties
Period 1
(no penalties)
Period 2
Screaming SquirrelsDesmond Richelsen – (Interference Minor), 2 min , 8:00
Screaming SquirrelsDesmond Richelsen – (Roughing Minor), 2 min , 11:58
The HighlandersNick Newman – (Unsportsmanlike Conduct Minor), 2 min , 11:58
Screaming SquirrelsBrent Mochado – (Tripping Minor), 2 min , 14:24
Period 3
The HighlandersNick Newman – (Body Checking Minor), 2 min , 4:38
Screaming SquirrelsBrent Mochado – (Tripping Minor), 2 min , 8:48
The HighlandersJon Funk – (Tripping Minor), 2 min , 9:51
Screaming SquirrelsWilliam Rand – (Interference Minor), 2 min , 15:00

Rosters
The Highlanders Screaming Squirrels
Goalies
Name Min Shots Saves
33 Nicholas Labarre 45 30 28
Name Min Shots Saves
30 Eric Coulson 45 26 25
Players
# Name G A Pts PIM GWG
3 Matthew Journy 0 0 0 0 0
5 Joe Burkhardt 0 0 0 0 0
8 Jon Funk 0 0 0 2 0
11 Abram Fox 0 0 0 0 0
12 Rahul Paris 1 0 1 0 0
17 Nicholas Minarik 0 0 0 0 0
23 Dave Loudon 0 0 0 0 0
36 Nick Newman 0 0 0 4 0
68 Axel Deneselya 0 0 0 0 0
88 Jason Nehmer 0 1 1 0 0
# Name G A Pts PIM GWG
7 Doug Winters 0 0 0 0 0
8 John Burke 0 0 0 0 0
9 Charles Wolstein 0 0 0 0 0
10 Brent Mochado 0 1 1 4 0
12 Anthony Richelsen 0 0 0 0 0
19 Benjamin Sumner 1 0 1 0 0
21 Desmond Richelsen 0 1 1 4 0
44 William Rand 0 0 0 2 0
61 Tero Moberg 1 0 1 0 1
77 Jeff Headlee 0 0 0 0 0

Brewins 4, Squirrels 2

Squirrels Reminded What It’s Like to Lose

After giving up the first goal in a game in God knows how long (man, I wish I had that one back!), the Squirrels stormed back in the 1st period and answered with 2 quick goals less than a minute and a half apart. Squirrels new comers David Burke and Dave Fronapfel assisted on fellow new comer Jeff Bobeck’s first of the season. The goal was very “Knuble-esque” coming from the edge of the crease after Brewins goalie McNeil made the initial save. On the next shift, the Squirrels continued to swarm the offensive zone, and “Mr. T” (what? I’m no Chris Berman, ok!), Tony Richelsen potted his first of the young season with Rob Myers getting credit for the assist.

The second period was a bit…well…I believe adjectives that were tossed around in the locker room post game to describe the period included “crap”, “brutal”, “terrible”, “ugly”, and several others that are not appropriate for a family oriented site such as we’re running here. The Squirrels were often caught running around in the defensive and neutral zones and generated very little offensive pressure of their own. A blown coverage in the defensive zone and a neutral zone turnover led to the Brewins 2nd and 3rd goal respectively and the Squirrels were unable to sustain any offensive pressure to get the game tied back up.

The Brewins put the proverbial nail in the coffin in the 3rd period with a point shot that hit a forest of legs and hockey pants and Eric was unable to locate until it settled peacefully to his left, where a Brewin player calmly tapped the loose biscuit into a yawning, wide open net. A flurry of chances by the Squirrels late, after pulling Eric from the net, were thwarted and the Squirrels were forced to taste defeat for the first time since late February.

Rookie Squirrel Doug Winters said during the post game news conference (AKA, beer-consuming-post-game-chill-out) “We need to learn how to play together.” As the season wears on, the team will no doubt become more adept at anticipating each other’s tendencies and expectations of their linemates. This humble author has a few pointers for my teamates:

1) you better have fun

2) wingers gotta crash the net/get yourself to an open spot. If you’re rushing the offensive zone with your linemates, 3 abreast, one of you that doesn’t have the puck needs to get your ass to the front of that net as quickly as you can and keep your stick on the ice while you’re getting there. Just put your head down and go to an area just outside the crease where you can create havoc with the goalie’s vision and concentration, possibly deflect a shot, and/or slam dunk a rebound opportunity. Hockey stop when you get there, don’t just hussle your butt off to get there only to cruise lazily right on by. The other person without the puck needs to make himself available to the puck carrier for a pass. This will likely entail getting no farther than 2 or 3 stick lengths from said puck carrier so as to create the opportunity for a short, high percentage pass. Wing to wing passes that span the width of the ice do not connect successfully as often as short, 5-7 foot passes and they allow defensive players to clog up passing lanes and break up passes, effectively turning the puck over and allowing a counter attack. If, in the offensive zone, you don’t have the puck, you need to be trying to get yourself into an open space with no one between you and the puck carrier.

3) defensively, everyone’s head should always be on a swivel. Don’t watch the puck exclusively. Watch your assigned man and/or area of the ice and deny time and space to that person or anyone who comes into your assigned area. Close gaps between yourself and the opposing offensive puck carrier by denying them time and space before they even get the puck. Help your feeble goalie clear those rebounds as he’ll give up a ton of them and is not skilled enough to always keep them out of harms way. Always try to be mindful of where you are in relation to your net behind you so that you’re not inadvertently creating a screen. It’s up to me to let you know when you are and I have to do a better job of that.

4) you better have fun

Next game is Wednesday, May 12th @ 10:10 PM vs. The Highlanders. Please set your attendance in Pointstreak as soon as you can. Who’s on beer duty?

Game Details
Scoring Shots on Goal
1 2 3 Total
Screaming Squirrels 2 0 0 2
The Brewins 1 2 1 4
Squirrels 22
The Brewins 25
Scoring Summary
Period 1
The BrewinsSteven Lippman (Mark Mey) , 4:39
Screaming SquirrelsJeffrey Bobeck (David Fronapfel, John Burke) , 9:01
Screaming SquirrelsAnthony Richelsen (Robert Myers) , 10:22
Period 2
The BrewinsMark Mey (unassisted) , 11:30
The BrewinsMark Mey (Michael Pesci, Steven Lippman) , 14:01
Period 3
The BrewinsJeff Verthein (Mark Mey) , 5:53
Penalties
Period 1
Screaming SquirrelsDesmond Richelsen – (Hooking Minor), 2 min , 4:39
Screaming SquirrelsDavid Fronapfel – (Tripping Minor), 2 min , 13:51
Period 2
Screaming SquirrelsDesmond Richelsen – (Interference Minor), 2 min , 7:42
Screaming SquirrelsDesmond Richelsen – (Slashing Minor), 2 min , 11:30
Period 3
Screaming SquirrelsDaniel Carter – (Roughing Minor), 2 min , 7:45

Rosters
Screaming Squirrels The Brewins
Goalies
Name Min Shots Saves
30 Eric Coulson 45 25 21
Name Min Shots Saves
35 Ron Mcneil 45 22 20
Players
# Name G A Pts PIM GWG
7 Doug Winters 0 0 0 0 0
8 John Burke 0 1 1 0 0
9 Charles Wolstein 0 0 0 0 0
10 Brent Mochado 0 0 0 0 0
12 Anthony Richelsen 1 0 1 0 0
17 Daniel Carter 0 0 0 2 0
18 Robert Myers 0 1 1 0 0
19 Benjamin Sumner 0 0 0 0 0
21 Desmond Richelsen 0 0 0 6 0
22 Jeffrey Bobeck 1 0 1 0 0
42 David Fronapfel 0 1 1 2 0
44 William Rand 0 0 0 0 0
# Name G A Pts PIM GWG
3 Michael Pesci 0 1 1 0 0
4 Kali Wood 0 0 0 0 0
04 Jeff Verthein 1 0 1 0 0
5 Michael Adams 0 0 0 0 0
7 Daniel Weiss 0 0 0 0 0
9 Mark Mey 2 2 4 0 1
19 William Mosberg 0 0 0 0 0
55 Peter Bulcavage 0 0 0 0 0
75 Andy Gray 0 0 0 0 0
78 Steven Lippman 1 1 2 0 0

Roller: Squirrels Win Easily

Wearing No. 99, new Squirrel Mark Tessar made a statement for his new team Tuesday by posting two goals and two assists in a runaway victory against the Real C Team.

Rob Myers and Jeff Ford also scored two apiece for the Squirrels.

The Gardens IH – Patrick      Tue, May 04, 2010 at 9:34 pm
Screaming Squirrels Inline 7 The Real C Team 0
Game Details
Scoring Shots on Goal
1 2 Total
Squirrels 4 3 7
The Real C Team 0 0 0
Squirrels 36
The Real C Team 9
Scoring Summary
Period 1
Screaming Squirrels InlineJeff Ford (unassisted) , 2:04
SquirrelsJeff Ford (Mark Tessar) , 2:54
Screaming Squirrels InlineRobert Myers (Nam Pho) , 11:33
Screaming Squirrels InlineMark Tessar (Kyle Gassert) , 12:40
Period 2
SquirrelsRobert Myers (powerplay) (unassisted) , 0:50
SquirrelsKyle Gassert (Mark Tessar) , 4:49
Screaming Squirrels InlineMark Tessar (Jeff Ford) , 9:40
Penalties
Period 1
Screaming Squirrels InlineJeff Ford – (Roughing Minor), 2 min , 5:33
The Real C TeamScott Hartsock – (Tripping Minor), 2 min , 17:00
Period 2
(no penalties)

Rosters
Squirrels The Real C Team
Goalies
Name Min Shots Saves
38 Stuart Miller 34 9 9
Name Min Shots Saves
1 Ryan Meeks 34 36 29
Players
# Name G A Pts PIM GWG
2 Donald Marks Jr. 0 0 0 0 0
5 Jeff Ford 2 1 3 2 1
18 Robert Myers 2 0 2 0 0
19 Benjamin Sumner 0 0 0 0 0
21 Desmond Richelsen 0 0 0 0 0
25 Kyle Gassert 1 1 2 0 0
29 Nam Pho 0 1 1 0 0
99 Mark Tessar 2 2 4 0 0
# Name G A Pts PIM GWG
3 Jeff Lukeski 0 0 0 0 0
7 Michael Henry 0 0 0 0 0
26 Brian Pansini 0 0 0 0 0
50 Chris Kelly 0 0 0 0 0
68 Scott Hartsock 0 0 0 2 0
71 Han Yoon 0 0 0 0 0