For the 2nd time in their past 3 games, the Squirrels were unable to get on the scoreboard, falling to the undefeated first place Highlanders, 2-0. The game marked defenseman Kyle Gassert’s final game in a Squirrels uniform.
From the opening face-off, the Squirrels seemed to be on their heels trying to contain the Highlanders’ superior team speed. The Squirrels were unable to sustain much pressure on Highlanders’ goalie Nicholas Labarre despite the scorekeeper’s apparent neurosis in awarding the Highlanders only 17 shots on goal versus giving the Squirrels 21. Puck possession was heavily in the Highlanders’ favor and for most of the game, the ice was tilted towards the Squirrels’ defensive zone.
The Highlanders were finally able to solve goalie Eric Coulson while enjoying a power play. Squirrels forward Brent Machado was sent to the box for an interference penalty and Highlanders forward Jeff Gellman buried a wicked wrister through a Squirrels’ defenseman’s legs and past Coulson’s blocker for the power play (and eventual game winning) tally.
It was Coulson’s only blemish on the night. Solid stops from the goalie included a double pad stack stick save sliding to his left on a rebound opportunity in the 1st period, and a Sportscenter worthy glove save on a 2-1 rush against in the 3rd.
Kyle Gassert joined the Squirrels during the Fall/Winter season of 2009-10 and was an important member of that team which almost went undefeated and won the Bronze 2 Championship. Known for his hard slapshot and smart and aggressive defensive play, Kyle was a popular guy in the locker room, always quick with a sly comment. He and the previously departed former Squirrel Mike Bronson, will be the founding members of the Squirrels’ second iteration in the Chicago metropolitan area. Who will be the next Squirrel to depart for the midwest? Cheers to you Kyle. Kyle ends his Squirrels ice career with 7 goals and 6 assists for 13 points along with 20 PIMs in 28 regular season games and 4 assists and 2 PIMs in the Squirrels’ 3-game march to the 09-10 league championship.
| Game Details |
| Scoring |
Shots on Goal |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
Total |
| Screaming Squirrels |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| The Highlanders |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Squirrels 21
The Highlanders 17
|
| Scoring Summary |
| Period 1 |
| (no scoring) |
| Period 2 |
| The Highlanders – Jeff Gellman (power play) (Justin Smith) , 11:13 |
| Period 3 |
| The Highlanders – Jeff Gellman (short handed) (empty net) (unassisted) , 14:54 |
| Penalties |
| Period 1 |
| Screaming Squirrels – Brent Machado – (Hooking Minor), 2 min , 7:18 |
| The Highlanders – Nick Newman – (Hooking Minor), 2 min , 8:22 |
| Period 2 |
| Screaming Squirrels – Brent Machado – (Interference Minor), 2 min , 9:26 |
| Period 3 |
| The Highlanders – Justin Smith – (Interference Minor), 2 min , 1:51 |
| Screaming Squirrels – Michael Ricci – (Slashing Minor), 2 min , 3:28 |
| Screaming Squirrels – Michael Ricci – (Slashing Minor), 2 min , 12:21 |
| The Highlanders – Matthew Journy – (Boarding Minor), 2 min , 14:14 |
| The Highlanders – Nick Newman – (Hooking Minor), 2 min , 14:27 |
| Rosters |
| Screaming Squirrels |
The Highlanders |
| Goalies |
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| Players |
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| Other facts |
Referee
Default Referee, Tom Latona, David MortimoreScorekeeper
Thomas Haworth |
| Game Notes |
| no notes entered for this game |
