How Sweet It Is
Published on March 13, 2011 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Springfield Jr. Blues News Release
You realize tonight is not going to be as good as last night's 7 - 1 win over Motor City when you get to the rink, reach for your briefcase and laptop and suddenly realize ¬Â¦YOU DIDN'T BRING IT FROM HOME BONEHEAD ¬Â¦Fortunately, my daughter saved me a trip across town and through the red lights. She stopped by our house on her way to the rink and saved my bacon. I'm sure it will cost me in the long run, but it sure was nice not to have to make two extra trips across Springfield.
Still, tonight's game started differently. Motor City came out with more energy than last night. Mike Williams started the scoring with a blazing wrister at 3:41 of the first on an assist by Kyle Cook. Motor City answered at 10:16 with a goal by Graves, assisted by Sipila and Badner. The score was tied 1 - 1 at the first intermission.
Stew Bell tickled the twine at the back of the net at 5:47 of the second to give the good guys a 2 - 1 lead. He was assisted by Chris "the Tree Trunk" Sitler and Kevin Lopatto. The rest of the period was a good defensive struggle by both teams.
The third period was the most exciting of the evening as Graves scored his second goal for the Metal Jackets to tie the game again. Coles and Scorcia assisted him on the play. That proved to be the last scoring gasp by the Visitors as Cookie redirected a pass from Mike Williams for the game winner at 11:57, but the Blues weren't finished scoring yet. Mike Fallon redirected a pass from T.J. Poganski at the 18:23 mark to ice the game, then Josef Pontasch scored an empty net goal with a little help from Mike Williams and Kyle "the Gentle Giant" Cook for the final score of 5 - 2.
The second win came at a cost for the Jr. Blues though as Ross "The Boss" Andersen injured his shoulder and will out today, and Shayne McLaughlin and Chris Sitler each received a two game suspension for fighting with less than five minutes left in the game. Unfortunately, both were suckered into fighting by some very questionable actions by Motor City players. The Meltal Jacket's players also won't be playing today because of fighting with under five minutes to play.
All in all, the win by the Blues just postponed the inevitable as Michigan also won and lowered their magic number to one for the fourth place and final playoff position in the North Division. Still even with that hanging over their heads, these Jr. Blues play with heart, pride and dignity above and beyond their youth. Ya gotta love ¬Ëem!
North American Hockey League Stories from March 13, 2011
- Rivard's Late Goal Gives Stars 2-1 Win - Traverse City North Stars
- Bulls Look To Return To Win Column - Amarillo Bulls
- 'Runners Triumph again, Clobber Bulls - Topeka Pilots
- How Sweet It Is - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Wild Wins Outdoor Game: Complete Sweep of Ice Dogs - Wenatchee Wild
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