It’s been quite awhile since the Screaming Squirrels had end game summaries, as their website underwent some long term reconstruction. With the implementation of a new website, your beloved game recaps are here once again!

On Saturday January 16th, the Squirrels were matched up against Gnu, and showed no mercy with a 9-1 blowout victory. The first period was rather uneventful as Tony Richelsen got the scoring started with a sliding pass from Mike Bronson, who tripped just before crossing the blue line.

Things started to heat up early in the second period. Bob Valdes netted a goal just over one minute into the period. The Screaming Squirrels welcomed back Jason Nehmer who tallied assists on the next two goals. Mike and Tony finished the scoring for the second period.

The third period is where the Squirrels really turned up the heat, drawing two penalties for two power play goals. The Gnu got their only goal from a mishap with the officials. As the Referee raised his hand signaling a delayed penalty, Eric Coulson came out of the net to touch the puck. Although both Dan Carter and Eric possessed the puck, the officials did not blow the whistle and the Gnu scored on an open net. This lit a fire that resulted in a flurry of goals by the Squirrels to finish the game. Desmond Richelsen and Dan Carter each scored a goal, while Bob Valdes netted two in the final period. Bob and Tony both pulled hat-tricks in the game.

Squirrels Give Up Season-High Three Against Gnu

The Squirrels won 8-3 on Sunday, outshot Gnu 57-22, but only led 3-1 after the first period and were outscored 1-0 in the third. The 5-1 second period and Chris Wautel’s two goals and three assists boosted the Squirrels to their first 8-0 start in three years.

Ben Sumner scored 21 seconds into the game with a backhand redirect of Paul Kobernick’s pass from the corner. Gnu tied the game at 8:08, but the Squirrels regained the lead as Greg Wenograd scored off of a rebound. Wautel scored his first on a breakaway at 12:03.

Gnu made the game interesting about one minute into the second period, and the score stayed at 3-2 for four minutes before the Squirrels ran away with it. Mike Bronson, Wautel, Matt Borlik, Chi Pham and Dan Carter scored to put the Squirrels up 8-2.

Sumner, Wenograd, Wautel, Bronson, Borlik, Kobernick, Pham, Carter, Don Marks, Charles Wolstein, Jon Magi, Drew Thiemann, Chris Long and Matt Benson played for the Squirrels. It was Benson’s first game for the team.

The next game is Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 10 p.m. against Meltdown.

The Squirrels stumbled out of the game Tuesday, but regained their composure and shut down Gnu for the final two periods in a 4-2 victory.

Gnu scored on the power play at 8:03 of the game, then went ahead 2-0 five minutes later. Then Chris Wautel took the puck coast-to-coast and cut the score to 2-1. In the second period, Dan Carter tied the game. Rob Myers scored the go-ahead goal at 1:46 of the third period, and Chi Pham added an insurance goal with a slap shot from the point.

Drew Thiemann made 14 saves in net as the Squirrels put up 26 shots. The Squirrels used three full lines of players. The next game is Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 10:15 p.m. against Meltdown.