A week removed from a victory against rival Enigma, the Squirrels fell to a team that was a week removed from tying the worst team in the league. The Swingers took advantage of the Squirrels’ short bench, and skated away with a 5-2 win.

The Swingers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, and the Squirrels found themselves killing penalties much of the first half. Finally, the Squirrels got a power play toward the end of the first half, and Kit Watson scored to cut the lead to 2-1.Only 42 seconds into the second half, Chris Long centered a pass to Jeff Ford, who tied the game, and the Squirrels appeared to be in control. Then the penalties added up again, leading to frustration and an ejection, and the Squirrels didn’t have enough energy. The Swingers scored three more times and held on for the win.

Matt Borlik, Long, Watson, Ford, Rob Myers, Ben Sumner, Tony Richelsen and goaltender Bob Sewell played for the Squirrels. The next game is Tuesday, at 8:30 p.m. against Silver Spring.

Playing the Swingers for the first time Tuesday, the Squirrels knew the team had speed. That became apparent only eight seconds into the game as they took a 1-0 lead. But the Squirrels controlled the rest of the first period before the Swingers found their form, and the teams skated off to a 5-5 tie.

After being down 1-0 off of the opening face-off, Ben Sumner found Jeff Ford streaking down the middle, and Ford roofed the puck at 12:15 of the first period. At 6:46, a Don Marks slap shot put the Squirrels up 2-1. A couple of minutes later, Sumner hurled the puck from the left side, and it deflected in for a 3-1 lead. With 1:34 remaining in the first period, Rob Myers got a pretty pass from Kit Watson to put the Squirrels up 4-1 on a power play.

Then the second period started. While the Squirrels got their share of chances, a few breakdowns led to three straight goals over a seven-minute stretch. With 5:24 remaining, the Swingers tied the game at 4-4. On the very next shift, Ford connected with Sumner, who chipped in the puck to regain the lead. The Squirrels couldn’t hold on. With :58 seconds remaining, the Squirrels got caught deep during a long shift, and the Swingers tied the game at 5-5.

The Squirrels outshot the Swingers, 36-23. The Squirrels played without Matt Borlik, Tony Richelsen and Juan Canchasto.

The next game is Tuesday, June 5, at 9 p.m. against Silver Spring, who the Squirrels are battling with for first place.