Typically it would be considered an upset if an 8th seed beat a top seed, but considering the Real C Team has been the most difficult team the Squirrels have faced all season, they knew it wouldn’t be easy to advance. Due to the play of goaltender Ryan Meeks, the Real C Team beat the Squirrels earlier this season, and also forced them to a shootout. On Tuesday, Meeks showed signs of his goaltending brilliance before the Squirrels were able to power past them and win, 7-2.

After a couple of failed power plays and numerous chances, the Squirrels finally found the net on a first period power play when Chris Bedrossian scored the first of his three goals. Mark Tessar added another power play goal, but it was his next one that set the tone for the rest of the game. He fell and hit his head on a play, struggling to get up, before regaining his footing, somehow getting the puck, making a power move to the net and slam dunking it in.

But the Real C Team answered on the next face off, scoreing on a slap shot from the point to make the score 3-1 at the half.

Only a minute into the second half, Don Marks lined up for a slapshot that got past Meeks, which wasn’t a goal that he normally gives up. Then the Squirrels started taking penalties, but Bedrossian scored almost immediately shorthanded, before the Real C Team scored to cut the lead to 5-2.

Tessar wasn’t done. A couple of more power moves left a defender on his face – twice – while Tessar fought for the puck, assisting on Brian Iciek’s goal to put the game out of reach. Bedrossian scored once more and the Squirrels advanced to the second round, which will be Thursday at 7:30.

Eric Smith had four assists, despite using gloves he wasn’t used to.