Mark Tessar had two goals and four assists to lead the Squirrels to a 9-2 victory against the 5 Holes, while also taking over the league lead in scoring. The Squirrels also took over first place in the league, though the second place Jesters have a game in hand. Also, the 5 Holes demolished the Jesters, 7-0 on Wednesday, putting them one point behind the Squirrels.

The Squirrels held two early leads at 2-0 and 3-2, but the 5 Holes capitalized off of a series of Squirrels turnovers deep in the zone and knocked the Squirrels out of the playoffs, 6-3. Mark Tessar scored twice and Kyle Gassert also scored for the Squirrels. The Squirrels had a 29-26 edge in shots. Brian Murphy had a surprise hat-trick in the second period. The only penalty came on the 5 Holes’ goalie.

The 5-Holes thought they won in the finals seconds Thursday, but the puck hit the post and somehow stayed out of the net as the teams settled for a 3-3 tie.

Mark Tessar got the scoring started in the first period before the 5 Holes answered with two to take a 2-1 lead into the half. Rob Myers tied the game early in the second period on the power play, a few minutes before taking a double minor for slashing and roughing, which he blamed on his kid for making him have a bad day. Steve Price scored on the power play for the 5 Holes, but Kyle Gassert tied the game on a Squirrels’ power play at 8:08 of the second period.

Stu Miller made 19 saves for the Squirrels, who have three games remaining in the regular season.

The game appeared to be 3-3 from the very beginning because the scoreboard hadn’t been reset.

With only six skaters, including backup goaltender Bob Sewell in net, the Squirrels managed to shut out the fully-benched 5 Holes on Tuesday, 4-0.

Rob Myers scored only 26 seconds into the game, but little else happened until five minutes into the second period when Kyle Gassert’s slap shot went past 5 Holes goaltender Brandon Miller.

Stew Miller added a pair of goals and Sewell stopped 25 shots.