Squirrels 3, Silver Spring 2

It was a battle for first place Tuesday, as the Screaming Squirrels took on Silver Spring, a team that hasn’t lost, or even tied, since the first game of the season. And just like that first game of the season, the Squirrels came away with the victory – 3-2 – but this time in a much tighter game that could’ve gone either way.

Silver Spring got the scoring started on a power play with 3:11 remaining in the first period. The Squirrels weren’t short on opportunities during the first half, however, pouring on 15 shots, but skated into the half with a 1-0 deficit.

At 11:26 of the second period, on a power play, Ben Sumner won a faceoff directly to Jeff Ford on the left wing, and Ford wristed the puck home to tie the game. Unfortunately, seconds later Silver Spring retook the lead. But even then, the Squirrels didn’t panic, as Sumner got another pass to Ford for a goal to tie the game at 8:23. Less than a minute later, Chris Wautel scored the game-winning goal, and the Squirrels killed a late penalty to beat their rivals for the second time this season.

Bob Sewell made 20 saves in net, as the Squirrels put up 29 shots. The Squirrels played without Matt Borlik, Don Marks and Wade Marks. The next game is Tuesday, June 12, at 8 p.m. against the 5 Holes.