Playoffs: Squirrels 5, Fish 2

The last time the Screaming Squirrels played the Fish, they gave up three goals in the last few minutes to turn a sure victory into an embarrassing loss. The Fish were in position to do the same thing Thursday, but the Squirrels tightened up on defense and held on for a 5-2 win in the playoff quarterfinals.

The Fish scored first, but Ed Bager and Don Marks gave the Squirrels a 2-1 lead after the first period. In the second half, Jeff Ford was alone in front of the net and put in his own rebound to give the Squirrels a 2-goal cushion. The Fish fought back, scoring shorthanded to cut the lead to 3-2. Rob Myers then scored on the same power play and the lead was back to 2, still surmountable as the Squirrels have learned. But the Squirrels held the Fish scoreless in the last 5:27 of the game, and killed a late penalty. Marks capped off the game with an empty-netter as the buzzer sounded.

Bob Sewell, who is listed on both teams’ rosters, made 28 saves for the Squirrels, who posted 24 shots of their own.

The Squirrels will now play last year’s runner-ups, the 5-Holes, on Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. The first-place Hurricanes will play the Chupacabras in the other semifinal game.

Wade Marks and Rob Myers will be missing the rest of the playoffs. Marks is moving to Montana for a job, but says he is still leaving the option open to return to play for the ice team.

Fish 6, Squirrels 5

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 10, Fish 0

The Roller Screaming Squirrels forced their second forfeit in a row Tuesday in the most lopsided victory in their four-year roller history. Coming off of a respectable 5-4 loss Wednesday to the undefeated 5-Holes, the Fish went down 2-0 in the first 50 seconds of the game, and 8-0 at the half. The Squirrels scored the final two goals with 7:13 remaining, making it the shortest game they have ever played.

Goaltender Brian Byrne had a 9-save shutout, his second of the season. The Squirrels skated with a full roster. The next game is Tuesday, June 7, at 8:30 p.m. against Mors ab Alto.

Squirrels 8, Fish 2

It was another night of point-padding for the Screaming Squirrels as they rolled past the new C-2 team, the Fish, 8-2 on Thursday. The game started slow again, however, and the Squirrels only outshot their opponents 21-18. Up 3-1 after 17 minutes, the Squirrels broke the game open in the second half, scoring virtually at will.

The Marks brothers, Don and Wade, each had two goals, while Matt Borlik, Kit Watson, Ben Sumner and Tony Richelsen had the others.

The Squirrels played without Rob Myers, Jeff Ford and Chris Long. The next game is Thursday, May 5, against the undefeated Hurricanes.