Blues Sweep Witchita Falls; Tied for First in Central Division
Published on November 11, 2007 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Springfield Jr. Blues News Release
Led by the two-goal effort of center Jared Rickord, the Blues sqelched a Wildcat comeback attempt and - for the second night in a row-never looked back. The first-year Blue is quietly moving up the scoring ladder with his consistent offensive-style play.
Taylor Kennedy started the scoring, assisted by Richie Zobak , and was followed by Rickord's first goal of the evening. That goal was assisted by Darren Rowe and Dan Weiss, who both played exceptional games on the defensive end.
"The diffference this weekend between our two teams was defense. They had it, we didn't" stated Wildcat coach John Bowkus. Blues coach Chris Wyler agrees. "I'll put my defenseman up against anyone in this league as far as skill goes. And when they play like they do, it opens up opportunities for my forwards to be more aggressive", he adds.
Rickord's second goal of the period gave the Blues a 3-1 lead going into the locker room at the end of the first period. That goal was set up by some nice work by Matt Globke and Steve Mohler.
The second period was all Witchita Falls as they scored two unanswered goals to tie the game at three apiece. With the momentum changing, Wyler's message to the team was to stay focused and win the third period. That they did. With quick goals by Taylor Kennedy(Gaffney) and Jon Gaffney(Larke), the Blues took control.
Ryan Townsend scored his first-ever Junior A goal at 7:14 of the period assisted by Chris Gentile and Richie Zobak. The Wildcats came back to within one and pulled their goaltender in a last-ditch effort to tie the game. However, two empty net goals by Gaffney(Patterson) and Kyle Greco(Patterson,Larke) sealed the deal for the Blues.
The win, before the largest crowd of the season(est 800+) put the Blues in a tie for first place with North Iowa. Next up: Central Division rival, the Southern Minnesota Express come to the Nelson Center next weekend for a Friday and Saturday series.
Game notes: It didn't take long for Blues forward Mike "The Sheriff" Crowder to dispose of Witchita Falls forward Jake Wachorn. Heard from the stands: "If it wasn't for quick action by the referees, Crowder might have added a new Wildcat logo to the Nelson Center ice"...... Did you notice the brooms on the ice after the game?? The growing fan base could get use to these "sweeps" that the team has served up for two weekends straight. In any event, it was nice to see that kind of atmosphere return to the Nelson Center. It appears that the buzz about the team is getting around and the stands will start looking quite a bit fuller as the season progresses....
North American Hockey League Stories from November 11, 2007
- Switzerland Defeats U.S. National Under-18 Team in Shootout - U.S. National Team
- Fargo-Moorehead Jets weekly - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Russia Edges U.S. National Under-17 Team in Four Nations Title Game - U.S. National Team
- Blues Sweep Witchita Falls; Tied for First in Central Division - Springfield Jr. Blues
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