The Squirrels have lost in nearly every way possible this year. Blowouts. Holding a lead up until the last few minutes. Blowouts. On Tuesday, they found a new way while falling to Honkey Kong, 2-1.
After a scoreless first period, the two teams got into a scuffle, and two Squirrels players got ejected. That left them with one player on the bench and a five-minute major penalty to kill with half the game to play. The Squirrels easily killed it., but Honkey Kong eventually broke the scoreless tie late in the period.
Midway through the third period, which was shortened to ten minutes instead of 15, Ben Sumner sent a weak shot at the goaltender, who fumbled it in his glove and let it trickle in. Then Honkey Kong answered with two minutes remaining to take the lead. The Squirrels put on a late flurry and missed a shot by an inch in the final moments.
After playing last night with one sub, the Squirrels were already exhausted. Honkey Kong had at least two full lines, yet narrowly escaped with the victory.
The next game is Sunday, August 21, at 9:10 p.m. against the Panic.