Coulda Gone Either Way
Published on December 30, 2011 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Springfield Jr. Blues News Release
Here we are again in Topeka, Kansas for a two game series to wrap up the 2011 part of the 2011-12 season. There have been several changes since the last game. Dominic Valencia and Shayne MacLaughlin have been traded to Fresno, Ryan Doner is back tonight. The last time he played was a month and a half ago, right here at the Landon Arena. He played one and one-half shifts before taking a puck to the foot and breaking two bones. He's back and hopefully we've seen the last of a rash of injuries. Mike Williams and Guan Wang should be back with the team next week. New faces with the Blue and Gold are Mitch Rogge (although he's been with the team for a few weeks now), Nick Townes and Jordan Johnson. Jordan arrived Thursday evening and has skated with the team once, but at this level of play he will adapt quickly, and from all indications the new players will have an immediate impact with the team. The guys seemed to have a quiet confidence as they exited the bus for tonight's game.
Tonight starts the second half of the season, and nobody wants this team to turn around and play with more consistency than the players themselves. I think this weekend in Topeka will give all of us a look at a new determination within this group of young men. We might see a few more changes by Coach Dibble as the season goes along, but there is nothing etched in stone regarding any changes in team personnel. Time will tell, along with any additional injuries, but I believe the team is pretty well set at this time, and ready to make a run according to their potential. Even though the season thus far has seen its share of ups and downs, I just have a feeling things are about to rebound, turn around and heat up in the Midwest Division of the ol' North American Hockey League.
Can you imagine having to travel back to Springfield on New Year's Eve? During my career in Law Enforcement we called it "Amature Night!" Even though there has been a targeted enforcement effort over the years, it just isn't one of the best nights to travel across three states. One big advantage (no pun intended) is that we will be travelling in a "Big" bus. Still, you never know who is going to be coming at you on the road at night. We have great confidence in our drivers though. They are professionals and have our safety upmost on their minds.
The Jr. Blues Blog is up and running. You can access it at www.jrblues.wordpress.com. We are still doing double duty at this time as we get everyone familiar with the Blog. It is carrying the articles that I send out. Our Techno-Wizards are still working it, and eventually these articles will be written on the Blog and the emails will discontinue. There is no time table at this time for the end of the emails, but I will let everyone know ahead of time. We will also begin airing the "Coaches Show" after the new year begins with some interesting tweaks for the updated version. Nally, of Nal-Kil Productions has really been on my case to get the show off the ground, but it seems every time we make a date to record it I get called to drive on a run somewhere. As Larry the Cable Guy says, we will "Git"Ëer done!" We are also planning to get a game summary on the Jr. Blues web site, but it's been quite a while since I've worked on the site to add articles so I need a tutorial in the worst way. So all in all, things are changing, and I think for the better as we add and adjust to give you more information about your favorite hockey team, the Springfield Jr. Blues!
The first period was tight and went by quickly. The Blues survived the short end of a 5 on 3 Topeka Power Play, only to see Michael Pastor score for the Runners at 18:43 on another Power Play. He was assisted by Veitch and the Roadrunners led at the intermission 1 - 0. Tyler Rehm and Stew Bell both rang pucks off the pipe, but they wouldn't go in, but maybe they will start to fall during the second and the third periods. Keep cheering the Blue and Gold
The second period played to a draw as Connor Girard was superb in goal, stopping shot after shot. The Blues defense played well and kept Topeka out of the net. Still the Blue and Gold can't seem to buy a goal, but there is still another twenty minutes to go and the Blues are still in this one. They played the first two periods well.
One more period to go in this game, and I'm confident the guys can pull this one out. They will have to play better than they did in period two, but I know with some favor by the hockey gods the Blues can win. They really need to win tonight.
The third period action was hot and heavy, the fastest pace of the night. Some untimely penalties again hurt the Blues, but they had another shot ring of the pipe late in the third. Tonight was just not their night to score.
The same two teams play tomorrow night at 7:05 start time, and as well as the guys in Blue and Gold played tonight I think their luck will be better and a win will be in store for them. Join me for the game on FASTHockey or the "ustream" audio broadcast for all the action.
Oh, and one more thing...Let's go Blues!!!
North American Hockey League Stories from December 30, 2011
- West Division Shootout: Wild Defeat Avalanche, 3-2 - Wenatchee Wild
- Shootout Triumph Delivers Bobcats' Second Dakota Cup - Bismarck Bobcats
- Amarillo Bulls Beat New Mexico 5-2 with three in the third - Amarillo Bulls
- Stars drop Empire opener - Traverse City North Stars
- Coulda Gone Either Way - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Dery Scores, Assists: IceRays Win 3-2 - Corpus Christi IceRays
- First half complete as âLopes suffer season's worst loss - Odessa Jackalopes
- Two goals from Prince, Reuschlein help Tornado to 9-1 rout - Texas Tornado
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