The Winter Bronze 2 defending champions Screaming Squirrels began their title defense last night with a well-played 6-4 win over the 3rd seeded team, Strange Brew. Officially outshot 33-22, the Squirrels were able to capitalize early and then often to build a lead that they would never fully relinquish.
The Squirrels’ scoring came entirely from two players. Brent Machado scored three times and Tony Richelsen netted two. Two of Machado’s goals came on the power play, the first coming early in the 1st period, and the second after a wonderful passing play early in the 3rd. The early 3rd period goal would stand up to be the game winner but for good measure, Machado would finish off his hat-trick about five minutes later. Meanwhile, Richelsen’s first two goals came on spectacular end-to-end rushes. Fellow defenseman Don Marks said, “Every time they (Strange Brew) dump it in the corner, it’s like a breakaway for Tony.†After leading all Squirrels in playoff scoring last year, Tony is well on his way to repeating the feat this season. But can he hold off regular season scoring leader Brent for the playoff scoring lead?
The Squirrels dominated the special teams play, scoring on 2 of 4 power play opportunities and killing off all three short-handed situations. Assists were credited to Rob Myers (2), Machado, Chi Pham, Ben Sumner, and goalie Eric Coulson who was all over the score sheet with 29 saves on 33 shots, the lone assist on Richelsen’s 2nd goal, and a tripping penalty in the 3rd period.
The Squirrels opponent in the divisional semi-finals is undetermined until the last quarterfinal game between the Highlanders and Laughing Skulls is played on 4/5. The other winners of quarterfinal games were the 7th seeded DC Fire with a stunning upset of the 2nd seeded Heineken Light, and the 4th seeded Piranhas beating the Bullets. Assuming the top seeded Highlanders handle the Laughing Skulls, the Squirrels will play the Piranhas on 4/7 @ 9:40. If the Skulls manage to upset the Highlanders, then the Squirrels would play DC Fire (their only meeting this season) in the same time slot.
Game Details |
Scoring |
Shots on Goal |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
Total |
Strange Brew II |
0 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
Screaming Squirrels |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
Strange Brew II 33
Squirrels 22
|
Scoring Summary |
Period 1 |
Screaming Squirrels – Brent Machado (power play) (Robert Myers) , 3:06 |
Period 2 |
Screaming Squirrels – Anthony Richelsen (unassisted) , 2:52 |
Strange Brew II – Jeff Huntington (Scott Dingman) , 2:59 |
Screaming Squirrels – Anthony Richelsen (Eric Coulson) , 8:43 |
Strange Brew II – Scott Dingman (Ben Golway, Jeff Huntington) , 10:03 |
Screaming Squirrels – Tero Moberg (Brent Machado) , 14:47 |
Period 3 |
Screaming Squirrels – Brent Machado (power play) (Chi Pham, Benjamin Sumner) , 1:23 |
Strange Brew II – Chris Steacy (Matthew Chesick) , 2:34 |
Screaming Squirrels – Brent Machado (Robert Myers) , 6:22 |
Strange Brew II – Matt Wienold (Thomas Hall) , 14:31 |
Penalties |
Period 1 |
Strange Brew II – Matthew Chesick (Holding), 2 min , 2:45 |
Strange Brew II – Ben Golway (Hooking), 2 min , 4:45 |
Period 2 |
Screaming Squirrels – Jeff Headlee (Hooking), 2 min , 11:56 |
Strange Brew II – Steven Pierce (Unsportsmanlike Conduct), 2 min , 14:47 |
Period 3 |
Screaming Squirrels – Eric Coulson (Tripping), 2 min , 9:03 |
Strange Brew II – Keith Olin (Slashing), 2 min , 14:27 |
Screaming Squirrels – Brent Machado (Slashing), 2 min , 14:27 |
Rosters |
Strange Brew II |
Screaming Squirrels |
Goalies |
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Players |
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Other facts |
Referee
Default Referee, Bob Atkinson, Mark MacintireScorekeeper
Spenser Alford |