Squirrels 6, Hockey Donkeys 5 (SO)

In an evenly-matched and extremely intense game, the Screaming Squirrels earned a shootout victory against the Hockey Donkeys on Monday, which could have easily gone either way.

Jon Danziger got the Squirrels on the board first. The Donkeys tied it, and then Tero Moberg’s shot from the point put the Squirrels up 2-1 going into the second period.

In the second period, the Donkeys tied the game on a power play, but Vivek Pinto put the Squirrels back ahead, 3-2, going into the third period.

The Squirrels held the lead for much of the final frame, then two goals by the Donkeys, 16 seconds apart,  put them ahead. Chi Pham and Ari Stock each tallied for the Squirrels, who again took the lead down the stretch. With about three minutes to go, the Squirrels killed off a penalty, but the Donkeys tied the game with 40 seconds remaining.

Neil Shah scored in the shootout, and the Donkeys got one, before Danziger took his turn in the third round. He missed, but the ref gave him another chance after determining that the goaltender tossed his stick on the play. Trying the same exact move, Danziger scored, and Torrey Pocock made the final save.