Sports stats



NAHL Springfield Jr. Blues

Blues' Struggles Continue

September 17, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Springfield Jr. Blues News Release


We're back at the rink with both Traverse City and the Blues on the ice for their pregame warm ups. Blaine hasn't been good to the good guys and hope the worst of it was that third period last night against the Texas Tornado. With four unanswered goals by Texas in the third and most of the third period spent in the Texas offensive zone questions abound, what's wrong with this talented team. They haven't gelled, and they look lost at times on the ice. Today could be a game of redemption for them, and we will see in just a few minutes if that is the case. Oh, by the way, Traverse City, today's opponent, beat Texas. So what do the good guys do' First, they need to play tough all sixty minutes of the game, and secondly, they need to put the puck in the net. If that doesn't happen, the season isn't going to go anywhere and expectations will be shoved aside. These are too good of young men for that to happen. They will respond. I just hope it's today. Let's go Blues! To quote a Yogi Berra-ism: "This is Déjà Vu all over again" as far as getting the puck to tickle the twine.

A good first period by both teams as they skated to a 0 - 0 tie after twenty minutes. The Blues are looking better, but still having difficulty putting the puck between the pipes. Traverse City took most of the face offs in the first, but the Blues defense held on and Connor Girard looked confident in goal. Period two is on the way.

Well, let's see, period two comes and goes and the Blues find themselves on the short end of an 0 - 2 score. Traverse City scored twice in about a minute and a half, but today the Blues haven't folded after the adversity. Still, no matter who shoots, they just aren't scoring. I'm frustrated up in the press box, just imagine what it's like on the bench and in the locker room during the second intermission! Right now the good guys play hard but have little to show for it. We can only hope at this point that the wheels don't come off during the third period. If the Blues can come out and score one quickly maybe that will get that monkey off their backs, and maybe they can put it together to pull a win out. Let's go good guys.

So much for optimism. Third period produced no goals for the Blues. That's now six goals in five games. That frustration won't win you very many games. One thing I'm sure of, the Springfield Jr. Blues are a talented team and all teams go through spells like this where nothing you do will work. But, here's the deal, the Blues are too good for this to last very long.

After the game, talking to the guys I can say yes, they are thoroughly frustrated by the outcome in Blaine, but they all are maintaining a positive attitude. I've lived long enough to know that everything that goes around, comes around. So, when the scoreless dam breaks and Tufte, Naumann or Sitler get that goal, I pity the team they're playing. They will turn this funk around. Keep the faith fans. Every team in every sport goes through things like this. It's just too bad it's happened to the Blues two years in a row at the Showcase. See you all in Janesville ‚¬Â¦

Check out the Springfield Jr. Blues Statistics

• Discuss this story on the North American Hockey League message board...

North American Hockey League Stories from September 17, 2011


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.

Other Recent Springfield Jr. Blues Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central