Winger Wade Marks’ hat-trick saved the game for the Squirrels on Sunday night, as he netted the game winner in a 5-4 victory. The Squirrels outshot the Barbarians 46-11, dominated the offensive zone, yet didn’t seal the win until late in the game.
Marks got the scoring started by nailing in a rebound midway through the first period. Later, Chris Long scored shorthanded near the end of the Barbarians’ power play. With about a minute left in the period, one of the Barbarians covered the puck with his legs while lying in front of the net. Other Squirrels were calling for a whistle, but Philip Van der Vossen dug the puck from underneath the player and poked it past the goaltender.
The Barbarians managed to shut down the Squirrels in the second period and tied the game at 3, though the Squirrels continued to dominate in shots and possession. Early in the third, Marks scored his second of the game unassisted, but the Barbarians fought back and tied it up.
With about four minutes to go, Marks skated the puck into the zone and Matt Borlik followed. The forwards crossed, with Borlik drawing the defensemen, and Marks shot the puck in the top left corner, putting the Squirrels up for good.
Jared Genser also had a multi-point game with assists on Marks’ first goal and Van der Vossen’s. The Squirrels were missing Jon Magi, Joseph Wu and Robin Berlin. The next game is Sunday, March 20, 10 p.m. at Cabin John against the division-leading Panthers.