Blues Drop Two in Bismarck; Settle For Fourth Place
March 30, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Springfield Jr. Blues News Release
The Springfield Jr. Blues dropped two games in Bismarck over the weekend earning them a 4th place finish in the Central Division.
On Friday night, the Blues lost in a shootout after the game ended in a 1-1 tie. Matt Larke had Springfield's only regulation goal, assisted by Cory Patterson and Kyle Greco. In the shootout, Steve Mohler and Matt Globke both scored but it was not enough as 3 Bobcats beat goaltender Phil Cook for the win. Bismarck outshot the Blues 51-32.
Saturday's game was a thriller, but a 1-0 loss for the Blues. Bobcats goalie Jake Kremer got first star of the game for stopping a barrage of Springfield shots in the 3rd period to hold on for the win. Springfield outshot Bismarck 26-8 in the 3rd period and 49-29 for the game but couldn't find the back of the net.
The Blues went 0 for 5 both nights on the power play and need to find a way to put the puck in the net to be successful in the playoffs. The have scored only 2 goals in their last three games.
"I am obviously upset that we didn't get the win we needed to capture 3rd place", stated coach Chris Wyler. "We are actually playing pretty decent hockey and our defense has been playing great. We need to have not only our team scoring leaders step up, but also need a few others to get into the scoring column if we are to be successful in the playoffs. There's a few guys on this team that have plenty of potential but they've been nowhere to be found when the team needed them. Hopefully, they'll wake up starting next week. We need a few unsung heros to pop thier heads up".
Springfield has had success against all three Central Division contenders. They beat the S. Minnesota in Minnesota 6-2 and 7-2 in their last meeting. They are 2-0-1 against Alexandria. They lost two close games vs. N. Iowa at home and beat them 2 out of 3 previously at N. Iowa.
"The way I look at it, we have to beat both N. Iowa and the winner of the Alexandria/S. Minnesota series to get to the Robertson Cup Finals. That is still our ultimate goal. We might as well take on the best team first".
N. Iowa will host the first two games of the best-of five series next weekend. The series will return to Springfield for game three and four, if necessary. Game five would be back at N. Iowa.
North American Hockey League Stories from March 30, 2008
- U.S. Nat'l Sled Hockey Team Defeats Italy, 4-0 - U.S. National Team
- Blues Drop Two in Bismarck; Settle For Fourth Place - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Runners Close Out Regular Season With 4-1 Win - Topeka Pilots
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