The Squirrels found their offense Wednesday, winning 8-1 and avenging an early-season loss to Mors ab Alto. Jeff Ford scored five goals and added an assist, while Ben Sumner notched two and assisted on four of Ford’s goals.
The Squirrels didn’t start out well, however, as Mors ab Alto scored in the first minute of play. Sumner tied the game a few minutes later by taking the puck around the net and shooting far-side as Ford tied up the defender in the middle. The score stood for eight more minutes before Ford got his first and second of the game, giving the Squirrels a 3-1 lead at the half.
Three minutes into the second period, Ford scored his third of the game, then his fourth six minutes later. Finally, the Squirrels’ second line got in on the action as Ed Bager hit in his third of the season. With three and a half minutes to play, the Squirrels had a face-off in the offensive zone. Ford skated over to Sumner and said, “Try to [win the face off] more to the left.” Sumner won the dual, to the left, and Ford immediately shot the puck and scored his fifth goal. Sumner scored on a breakaway with 30 seconds remaining.
The Squirrels only played with two full lines, something that concerned them going into the game. Don Marks, Kit Watson, Juan Canchasto, Rob Myers and Matt Borlik missed the game. Mors ab Alto played without their starting goaltender, Ryan Meeks, and instead used the Bullhawks’ Guile Ghambir, who made 30 saves. The Squirrels held Mors ab Alto to seven shots.
The next game is Tuesday, May 30, at 8:30 p.m. against Silver Spring.
Notes: No penalties were called in the game, something that hasn’t happened in a Squirrels game in years… Tony Richelsen got his cast taken off, but is still recovering… At 4-3, the Squirrels once again have a winning record, but still have more losses than four other teams in the nine-team division.