Byrne Bids Farewell to Squirrels
For three seasons, Brian Byrne was the man in net for the Squirrels, helping them produce three winning seasons and a championship. He was always one of the league leaders in goals against average and fewest goals allowed, and he often came up with big saves to keep the Squirrels in a game they had no business winning or tying. Byrne played his final game for the Squirrels on Tuesday, against a team that has always been a thorn in their side.
The Hurricanes, again, got the best of them. This was despite the fact that the Squirrels – who played with a full roster – posted 19 first-half shots, and controlled much of the second half as if they had a power play. But fast breaks, rebounds and second-chance shots led to four first-half goals for the Hurricanes. Don Marks put the Squirrels on the board with ten seconds remaining in the first period with a defender draped all over him. But that was all the Squirrels could manage offensively, despite a 28-21 shot advantage.
The Hurricanes used backup goaltender Bob Sewell, who the Squirrels had easily beaten earlier in the season when he subbed for the Fish.
Byrne will now move his family up to his native New Jersey to continue his career in education, and hopefully, roller hockey.
The Squirrels play their regular season finale against another team they haven’t beaten this season – the 5 Holes. The game is Tuesday, August 16, at 7:30 p.m. While meaningless in the C Division standings, the Squirrels hope to get some momentum going into the playoffs.