A Grinder, But a Win
Published on October 23, 2011 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Springfield Jr. Blues News Release
I'm being tested for being positive I think. The Blues are losing games they should win and winning games they should be losing, at least on paper. All in all, I'm wearing black today and in a way, mourning two losses to the Hitmen. This afternoon's game wraps up the three game set for this weekend. If I'm frustrated, just imagine how much more frustrated the Coaches, Players and the entire Jr. Blues organization must be! Today is a must win for the team's morale, because next week it's off to Janesville again, and the beat goes on.
This edition of the Springfield Jr. Blues, before the season started anyway looked like contenders for the Robertson Cup, what with fourteen veterans returning to compliment some highly touted rookies. Unfortunately the guys have not even come close to expectations, and while some of it can be attributed to the early season coaching turmoil, they have yet to step up and play close to their potential. Of course they did hammer St. Louis, but at this point that might even be considered an anomaly. The only thing that has been close to consistency is the inconsistent play of the Good Guys.
I've said it before, if you're around sports long enough you will see every team go through down times where nothing seems to go right, so I still believe the guys can make this a successful season. Everything that goes around, comes around, and hopefully today the turn-around will start for our team. I still think this is one of the most talented teams in the league, and I believe they will turn things around. So ¬Â¦"Let's Go Blues"! Let's start it today!
After several on ice fights last night the only injury was a badly bruised knuckle by Mike Williams. Mike was defending his D-man, Ruslan Pedan, who took a cheap shot elbow to the head. Ruslan was slow getting up, but ended up okay and returned to the game for his very next shift. So did Mike, but he had to ice the knuckle when he got home after the game. He's one tough customer, so he'll be ready to go this afternoon. Mike won the fight by a wide margin, by the way. Good job, Big Mike!
Speaking of fights, Stew Bell finally won a definitive decision also last night. The only thing that didn't go well was getting the puck in the net. I'm bettin' things will be better today ¬Â¦
The first period went well for the Blues as they jumped out to a 1 - 0 lead on Kyle Cook's goal. He was assisted by Chris Sitler at the 14:21 mark. It stayed that way until Chicago scored two goals in less than two minutes to take the 2 - 1 lead into the first intermission. Still we have two more periods to settle the score and win the game. Let's go Good Guys!
The Blues kept grindin' throughout the second and didn't take any prisoners. That resulted in a good period for the team. Ethan Nauman took a sweet pass from Gavin Tufte and Cody Dixon, redirected the puck and put it past Chicago Goalie Nick Kohn to tie the game. At the 16:18 mark Tufte took his turn putting the puck between the pipes taking a pass from Chris Sitler. That made it 3 - 2 as the Blues took the lead into the second intermission. Mike Parnell and Alec DeAngelo dropped the gloves in the middle of the action and Parnell pummeled the Hitmen forward. Both players were ejected for fighting and a game misconduct penalties.
Stew Bell was called for interfering with the Chicago Goalie and spent two minutes in the sin bin. The Blues outshot Chicago in the second 16 - 6, but Chicago led in penalty minutes. The third period should be a thriller ¬Â¦
And it was! The Blues scored at the 2:12 mark on a goal by Mike Williams on a break away. Ethan Nauman assisted. That made the score 4 - 2. Dominic Valencia got a break-away of his own and scored unassisted at the 4:50 mark. Chicago answered at 13:53, and again at 18:27 but it was too little, too late. So finally, the Jr. Blues win the finale 5 - 4 to avoid a sweep. A hard fought win, but a sweet one to be sure.
Next Friday and Saturday the Blues travel to Janesville again, and maybe we can keep this one game winning streak going!
North American Hockey League Stories from October 23, 2011
- A Grinder, But a Win - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Stars Drop Finale, 2-0 - Traverse City North Stars
- Stars drop finale, 2-0 - Traverse City North Stars
- Overtime Unkind - Wenatchee Wild
- Titanic Rally Delivers Road Sweep - Bismarck Bobcats
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