The Screaming Squirrels were again haunted by a lopsided number of penalties Tuesday, giving up four power plays – including a two-man advantage – and having none of their own. That made the difference as the 5-Holes won, 4-3.

The Squirrels scored first, as Jeff Ford put in a top-shelf rebound after a flurry around the net. Later in the first period, the Squirrels were called for interference and roughing, and the 5-Holes capitalized and took a 2-1 lead going into the second period. Ford scored again in the second period, and Ed Bager tied the game at 3-3 with several minutes remaining.

With 5:19 to go in the game, Ford appeared to be body-slammed. The referees called a 2-minute holding penalty against the 5-Holes, but the incident horribly frustrated the Squirrels, who ended up getting their second unsportsmanlike conduct call of the game. The first came after another series of questionable non-calls by the referees.

The last time the Squirrels and the 5-Holes met, the 5-Holes had no penalties called, compared to 16 total minutes for the Squirrels.

The Squirrels played without Rob Myers, Don Marks, Wade Marks and Tony Richelsen. Chris Long moved back to defense. The next game is July 14, at 7:30 p.m. against the Chupacabras.

Sixteen to zero. That was the number of penalty minutes for the Squirrels versus what was called on the 5 Holes on Tuesday.

Skating just a minute short of half the game with a player in the penalty box, the Squirrels couldn’t come back from a 3-0 halftime deficit and lost their first game of the 2005 roller season, 5-2. The Squirrels did manage to kill off all of the penalties, including a two-man deficit for 20 seconds, but the 5 Holes struck at even strength. In the second half, despite playing 10 of 17 minutes shorthanded, the Squirrels had the shot advantage, 15-10, getting goals from Ed Bager and Don Marks. The 5 Holes outshot the Squirrels in the game, 24-22.

The 5 Holes became the final undefeated team in the C division. The Squirrels skated without Wade Marks. The next game is May 26 at 9:30 against the Chupacabras.