The Squirrels dug themselves into a hole Thursday, giving up four goals in the first period before losing 5-4 against Snipe. The loss was the first time in at least four years that the Squirrels’ roller team lost three in a row. Matt Borlik played in net for Bob Sewell, who missed the game with a family emergency.
Juan Canchasto played his first game of the season, making his mark with two goals, including the Squirrels’ first to cut Snipe’s lead to 3-1 in the first period. Snipe scored again, going into the half with a 4-1 lead.
The Squirrels turned up the intensity in the second period. Jeff Ford scored his team-leading fifth goal of the season, but Snipe struck back with their second power play goal of the game to go up 5-2. Later in the period, Ben Sumner reached behind him for a loose puck in front of the net and banked it in off the goaltender. Moments later, Canchasto scored a similar goal out front to cut Snipe’s lead to 5-4.
With about four minutes remaining in the game, Rob Myers scored what appeared to be the tying goal, but the referees blew the play dead and called coincidental minors against a Snipe player and Ford, whose lip was bleeding from a high stick.
The Squirrels got a power play with two minutes remaining, pulled Borlik, but couldn’t get a decent shot on net.
The Squirrels played without Sewell, Phil Van der Vossen, Don Marks, Kit Watson and Tony Richelsen. With Borlik in net, the Squirrels played Chris Long on defense most of the game, and Myers on offense.
The next game is Wednesday, May 17, at 8:30 p.m. against the Bullhawks.