Tag Archives: 2005 Roller

Squirrels 7, Mors ab Alto 0

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The roller Squirrels played their most dominant game since last June on Thursday, running over Mors ab Alto, 7-0, with six different goal-getters.

Ben Sumner got the scoring started when he deflected in a Don Marks slapshot off the faceoff. Phil Van der Vossen scored from behind the net. Don Marks scored on a slapshot from the right point. Chris Long scored on a centering pass from Sumner. Kit Watson skated into the zone, went around everyone, and casually flipped the puck in the net. Don Marks scored again. And Wade Marks, shaking off a knee injury in the second half, easily knocked in a Watson pass. Team captain Ed Bager had three assists, and Don Marks led all scorers with four points.

The Squirrels’ only major mistake was taking a too-many-men-on-the-ice penalty in the second half. They led 5-0 after 17 minutes. Goaltender Brian Byrne had a seven-save shutout, the lowest shot total allowed by the Squirrels since they started keeping statistics.

The Squirrels have two roller games next week – Tuesday against the Bullhawks at 9:30, and Thursday against the Fish at 10:30. The first ice game of the season is Monday at 10:15 against Honkey Kong.

Squirrels 3, Chupacabras 3

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Ford Scores Two in Squirrels’ Debut

Newcomer Jeff Ford scored two goals, and came within inches of netting the winner with four seconds remaining, in the first roller game of the year Thursday against the Chupacabras. The Squirrels came away with a 3-3 tie while only skating two full lines.

Ford got the scoring started in the first period on a pass from Desmond Richelsen, and scored again in the second period. With 7 minutes remaining in the game, Ben Sumner scored shorthanded after Kit Watson drove it into the zone. Goaltender Brian Byrne made several outstanding saves, many at point-blank, to keep the Squirrels in the game. One odd moment came in the second half when his helmet came off before the Chupacabras scored, but the goal didn’t count because the rules state that the play must end for safety reasons.

The Squirrels took a 3-2 lead into the final minutes, but the Chupacabras scored on a late power play. The Squirrels were missing captain Ed Bager, Don Marks, Wade Marks and Matt Borlik.

The next roller game is Thursday, April 21, 8:30 against Mors ab Alto.

Also Thursday, only an hour after the roller game, the Squirrels ice team showed up for their playoff game against the Cobras in Wheaton. Unfortunately for both teams, the referees didn’t come. The teams scrimmaged for an hour or so. The makeup game will be announced later.

Squirrels’ Roller Schedule Released

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The Gardens Ice House released the 2005 schedule this week, and the Squirrels will find themselves playing many familiar opponents this summer. Returning to the C level are The 5 Holes, Hurricanes, Bullhawks, Mors ab Alto, and Chupacabres. The Fish are the only team the Squirrels haven’t yet seen. Noticeably missing this season are Honkey Kong and the Wolk Pack, teams that the Squirrels have never lost to. Also missing are the Alliance, and the 2004 champions The Rocks, who moved up to the B level.

If history is any indication, the Squirrels’ biggest rival this summer is bound to be the Hurricanes. The Squirrels-Hurricanes rivalry started in 2003 when the teams split the first two games of the championship before the deciding game was canceled due to Hurricane Isabel. In 2004, the teams split. In the first game, the Hurricanes shut down the Squirrels, 5-1. In the second game, the momentum was solidly in the Canes’ favor before a high-sticking incident drew blood on defenseman Kit Watson’s face, giving the Squirrels a five-minute power play that couldn’t expire due to scoring. Watson had a goal and two assists during that time, and late in the game Desmond Richelson shot in the game winner to give the Squirrels their most thrilling roller victory of the year.

The first team practice of the season will be Thursday, April 7 at 9:30 p.m. Several team members also play pick-up on Sunday mornings at the New Carrolton rink.