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.

This has happened to the Squirrels before, so they didn’t feel guilty when they skunked the Chupacabras on Thursday, 12-2. The Chupacabras had no goaltender, and several of their players were missing.

The Roller Squirrels led 6-2 at the break, and knocked in the 12th goal with less than a minute remaining to go ahead by ten, which automatically ends the game. The Squirrels skated without captain Ed Bager, Rob Myers, and Desmond Richelsen, who was serving a one-game suspension for an incident in the last roller game. Richelsen and Jon Magi were in the stands, cheering on the Squirrels. Juan Canchasto played his first roller game of the season in place of Bager. The next game is Tuesday, May 31, at 10:30 p.m. against the Fish.

Ford Scores Two in Squirrels’ Debut

Newcomer Jeff Ford scored two goals, and came within inches of netting the winner with four seconds remaining, in the first roller game of the year Thursday against the Chupacabras. The Squirrels came away with a 3-3 tie while only skating two full lines.

Ford got the scoring started in the first period on a pass from Desmond Richelsen, and scored again in the second period. With 7 minutes remaining in the game, Ben Sumner scored shorthanded after Kit Watson drove it into the zone. Goaltender Brian Byrne made several outstanding saves, many at point-blank, to keep the Squirrels in the game. One odd moment came in the second half when his helmet came off before the Chupacabras scored, but the goal didn’t count because the rules state that the play must end for safety reasons.

The Squirrels took a 3-2 lead into the final minutes, but the Chupacabras scored on a late power play. The Squirrels were missing captain Ed Bager, Don Marks, Wade Marks and Matt Borlik.

The next roller game is Thursday, April 21, 8:30 against Mors ab Alto.

Also Thursday, only an hour after the roller game, the Squirrels ice team showed up for their playoff game against the Cobras in Wheaton. Unfortunately for both teams, the referees didn’t come. The teams scrimmaged for an hour or so. The makeup game will be announced later.