Cardiac Kids Win Again
March 26, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Springfield Jr. Blues News Release
Tonight is the second of three games that will wrap up this season. Should the Blues win all three they will knock Motor City out of fifth place in the North and take over the spot. That's a tough job for any team, especially on the opponent's home ice, but each man on the Jr. Blues believe they can do it, and I believe in them, too.
We just finished the pre-game meal at the Sport's Bar and Grill next door where the "Man vs. Food" filmed the star of the show eating one humongous burger. Of course he had a lot of help from the Metal Jackets and Mike Monfredo. But then, as big as that guy is, he could probably down their signature 350 pounder!
The food was good, but I'm telling you, when the guys go home next week I don't want to even look at pasta until they return for next season, but the salad and steamed veggies were excellent. The garlic bread disappeared in a hurry, so I think all the guys need to do is breathe on their opponents tonight and they'll have the advantage. Good food was enjoyed by all. They had a couple of basketball machines that got a lot of attention, however they were all outshot by the waitress, much to the delight of Coaches Dibble and Power. Everyone had a good time to go along with the good meal.
We'll leave on the bus in a little while. All is quiet now as the meal settles and all the guys rest up a bit more for tonight's game.
The Blues will finish the season above the .500 mark, even though they won't get into the playoffs, and that hasn't happened in a while. An 0 - 6 start seems like only yesterday even though it was at the start of the season. This group of young men has come together as a very special team without anyone being the "super star". They have each other's backs on and off the ice. They just are a plain special group of guys. They are certainly talented hockey players, but they are great kids off the ice as well. Somehow, every one of these guys found a way into our hearts this year, and though the success wasn't as we would have wished for, they will always have a place in our hearts in the coming years. They personify the "Springfield Jr. Blues", and parents and fans alike can be proud of who they are and what they accomplish (and that will include next year as well. We expect BIG things next year!).
Back at the Kennedy Recreation Center in Trenton, Michigan for game two of this series. We patiently wait for warm ups before the game. Joe and Jason are on the ice passing pucks with Patrick. There is a lot of down time on the road. I finished a book I've been trying to get read for quite a while now, and even started another. I think the guys got caught up on their rest and sleep. They certainly have been quiet at the hotel anyway. And I like it!
No score at the first intermission, as both teams were up and down the ice much like the first period in recent Jr. Blues games. Motor City outshot the Blues 15 to 7, but Andrew Martin, through the first brought his "A" game to play tonight. Being outshot the way they were by the Metal Jackets, the good guys are lucky to have no score against them in this game. These are must win games for the Blues if they want to improve in the standings, and the only way they can do it is by winning out this weekend against the hosts. So what can I say but "Let's Go Blues!"
Now, whatever the attendance is announced tonight I just counted everyone in the rink and came up with just 93 people. Just a side note to this article...
The second period went by just as quickly as the first, but with one BIG difference, Mike Fallon scored at the 5:17 mark. Ethan Nauman and Gavin Tufte assisted Mike on the goal. Even though the Blues trail in shots on goal, 22 - 18, they lead where it counts, 1 - 0 on the coreboard. Period 3 on the way!
The third period started out much the same as the first two as both teams were playing solid defense. The second half of the third period was nearly all Jr Blues as Gavin Tufte scored at the 10:42 mark. Mike Fallon and Ethan Nauman picked up assists on the play that upped the score to 2 - 0. Motor City finally got on the board after Clay Scott took exception to Sipila running Marty in goal and pounded him to the ice. As the old saying goes; "a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do." Clay took Sipila to the ice and won the fight handily...at least on my score card. Both players earned a five minute rest in the penalty box for their efforts. Motor City came on to score their only goal of the game at the 14:34 mark. The Metal Jacket pulled Hamby from the goal to put the sixth attacker on the ice against the good guys and it almost worked until, with two ticks left on the clock Mike Fallon scored an empty net goal. Once again he was assisted by Gavin Tufte. That was the final score as the Cardiac Kids won the second of three games 3 - 1 to pull within a point of Motor City and fifth place in the North Division.
Game time tomorrow for the third game of this series, which is also the last regular season game for both teams, is 4:00pm Eastern time. Join me on the FASTHockey internet network for the game. Tomorrow's post game article will not follow the game as we will get back on the bus for the trip home. Look for it sometime Monday afternoon.
North American Hockey League Stories from March 26, 2011
- Bobcats Drop Express, End Skid - Bismarck Bobcats
- Tornado top Bulls in regular season finale, 3-1 - Texas Tornado
- Cardiac Kids Win Again - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Wings pick up 5-3 victory - Austin Bruins
- Stars claim 40th victory - Traverse City North Stars
- Bulls Host Fan Appreciation And Texas Tornado Tonight - Amarillo Bulls
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