NAHL Springfield Jr. Blues

Danielle's Game Day

Published on September 5, 2010 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Springfield Jr. Blues News Release


This article, this day and this game are all dedicated to Danielle Loftus and her family.

The guys are out of bed and off to the pregame skate and stretch. This is a special day and we are excited because of it. Barb was up early and in the kitchen making chocolate chip cookies. The house smelled so good with the cookie aroma wafting throughout the main level. Cold milk and warm cookies were more than even I could resist. I "forced" two of the cookies, but stuck with my coffee. Mmmmm-good!

The guys returned and headed straight to the crock pot for beef stew. They acted like they hadn't eaten for at leasttwenty minutes?

We have an exciting kickoff for tonight's benefit game for the Loftus family. The Bishop of the Springfield Diocese has agreed to participate in the pregame ceremonies. It's nice that such a busy man of God can take a few moments to remember a wounded family. Of course it helps when his nickname is the "Holy Goalie". He loves the game and still plays when his schedule allows. I'm looking forward to meeting him, and everyone's prayers have surely helped Danielle.

It sure is quiet in the house when the guys are chowing down. And the food disappears in a hurry too. I hate it that they can eat so much and stay so slim and trim. It takes a lot of calories for all they burn, but it doesn't seem fair that all I have to do is look at the amount of food they eat and I gain five pounds. Still, old age and trickery will even things up every time.

Full stomachs, a good pregame stretch needs just one more thing to fit into the game day ritual, some well earned quiet time. The guys went back to the basement to rest, relax and maybe even take a nap. Tonight is a big game, even if it is preseason.

4:11 pm

We're back at the rink. I forgot my keys to unlock the equipment storage cabinets. Thankfully our guys haven't left the house yet, so a trip back to the house is averted, and Ethan Naumann will bring the keys to me.

Le Roy is here and working hard to get the ice in shape for tonight's game. I think he's the hardest working guy in house. He and his co-worker have gone all the way around the ice next to the boards scraping the ice smooth. I may be partial, but I think we have the best ice in the league. That's not bad for the ol' barn that is the Nelson Center.

6:25pm

Tonight's game is a fundraiser for the Loftus family to assist them with their medical bills due to Danielle's injury and hospital stay since July. I was just informed that the Chicago Hitmen have gotten on board with a team donation in the amount of $100.00. When a hockey game starts, it is all out war, but when the horn sounds to end the game hockey people are a great big family. Our thanks to the Hitmen for standing with us in our fundraiser for Danielle and her family. God bless hockey folks!

6:30 pm

The teams are on the ice for warm-ups. Caleb Neal and Reid Mimmick are suited up tonight so we will see a different look in goal as the coaches take a look at our number two and three goalies in a game situation. The tension is rising as it gets closer to game time. And already the crowd is growing.

The crowd is growing and the Bishop just called me. Even though I'm not a Catholic, it is certainly an honor to have him take time from his busy schedule to participate in tonight's Benefit for the Loftus family and Danielle. Besides, he is a fan and a player of the greatest game in sports. And I know you know I mean HOCKEY

The Jr. Blues scored the first goal at 8:12 of the first period, but a Chicago came back to tie the game at one apiece at 19:38 of the period. Mistakes and some lackluster play by the Jr. Blues allowed Chicago back into the game. The Hitmen don't have the talent or speed of the Springfield club, but they keep coming at you. They have to have momentum going into the locker room for the first intermission.

Five minutes to go in the first intermission and I'm going to wait for Le Roy to walk across the ice and get his cheer. Period two is coming up.

Ouch! The second period was all Chicago. They went into the locker room with momentum and came out to control the middle period. The Hitmen scored three times to take a 4 - 1 lead as Chicago easily outplayed the good guys. Fortunately Ross Anderson scored with an assist from Wally Cossette to cut the lead to 4 - 2, and that is the score after two periods of play. I'm sure the coaches are giving a look at different things to see how they play out, but I sure hope we turn it around for Danielle and her family. Oh, did I say how much I dislike losing?

Period three is on the way. Let's Go Blues!

The third period turned out to be a slug fest. The officials had their hands full keeping peace on the ice as tempers flared time and time again. Chicago scored another goal, then we got one into the twine, but after that it was pretty much down hill. Even though it was a loss to Chicago I believe the coaches learned a lot of what will work okay and where the Jr. Blues really need to work to get it done.

While a loss is never easy to take, preseason is the best time for getting an idea about a team. Andrew Martin will be a key to a good season with his experience in goal. Even our two new goalies now have an idea of what will be required in hard work to become as asset to the team at this level of play. Both backups, Reid Mimmick and Caleb Neal had many positives to offset the few mistakes of this game. Better now than during the season. They both will take their game up to the level and commitment necessary to be successful.

Some observations about the 2010 - 2011 Springfield Jr. Blues after two preseason games:

They are fast quick with a lot of talent. Andy and Joe have put together a talented group of guys.

It's early and the team has a lot of work to do before St. Louis comes to town next Friday night to open the season.

There is a good mix of talent and grinders that should take this team a long way come playoff time if they stay focused on "team" and everything it takes to win at this level.

The coaches know what they are doing, and do it with a passion for the game. Both Andy and Joe get better each passing day. As a result, the team will make great strides as well.

The rookies now know what it is going to take to play at the NAHL level, and there should be no discouragement in the Nelson Center.

We have an extremely mature bunch of players, and the community can be proud of the Springfield Jr. Blues. Everything I've observed indicates they will do the work and have the dedication to be a successful team, and I am really looking forward to this season.

Our FASTHockey equipment is in house and will be online for the first regular season game next Friday. We will also be able to bring you audio of away game road trips alongside road game video broadcasts and we will road test this aspect next Saturday in St. Louis.

And finally, although the money hasn't been counted yet and no figures are available, we had a good crowd at the game in spite of the SHG -Lanphier football game and Springfield mile motorcycle activities going on at the same time. Thank you to everyone who made donations in support of the Loftus family. We ask that you keep Danielle and her family in your prayers and in your heart throughout the season and beyond. May "our Jr. Blues family" remember, support and continue to pray for the Loftus family. After all, they are "Jr. Blues family" too.

Check out the Springfield Jr. Blues Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



North American Hockey League Stories from September 5, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central