Jr. Blues Fall to Chicago Hitmen in OT
Published on October 24, 2010 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Springfield Jr. Blues News Release
We checked out of the hotel and hit the road at 4:00 pm. The pre-game meal was at Moretti's in Schaumberg, and it was a great meal. Dan Foss was with us and he went out and bought a football for the guys to throw around after the meal. Coach didn't want the guys to get too sluggish after a big meal so they went out and threw the football around for awhile on Moretti's front lawn. They made such a hit with the patrons that one of the ladies came out to center the football to the delight of the team and her party. Now we will wait and see if they come to the game after they finish bowlingEveryone had a great time. Be sure to see the attached photos of all the football action. One or two of the good guys should really be glad they play hockey. They would not make good receivers on any football team. It was a lot of fun though, and everybody had a good laugh or two.
We will head to the rink in a few minutes to take on the Hitmen tonight in game two of this weekend's series. The loss last night was a heartbreaker, but probably a game the team needed to get behind them. They took the ice for warm-ups with the idea that it was already in the bag. I think Joe has them ready for tonight, and we should not see another debacle tonight.
I had to laugh this morning at breakfast. Poor ol' T.J. Poganski, he was sitting by himself at the breakfast table so I sat down with him, just to keep him company. One of the other players came by the table and both young men nodded once at each other. T.J. looked at me and said, "We just had a full length conversation." I nearly fell off the chair laughing. The guys always have a way of picking you up, even if you don't need it
It is great to see so many Parents of the Jr. Blues in the house last night and tonight. Oh, and to see some of the Billets here is super also. I'm still at a loss as to why more people don't come out to the games when we play at home. What with the Jr. Blues being the longest running franchise, not only in Springfield, but in the North American Hockey League! We should see a packed house at each home game. The $7.00 ticket price for adults is a very inexpensive price for a fun night of family entertainment. Call someone this week and urge them to come out to the games with Topeka next week, and for that matter, ya'll come out too! If you haven't been to a game in awhile, or if you've never watched the Jr. Blues in action it is time to come on out to the "Nellie"!
The first period has come and gone in a hurry. The Jr. Blues have scored twice and at the first intermission it is 2 - 1 with the good guys in front. The officiating in the first leaves a little to be desired once again as Taylor Wolfe was hit in the face with a high stick resulting in no call by the referee. Still, Springfield is hitting hard and going after the puck with voracity. The puck control and the passing is better than last night as the guys have out shot Chicago 15 - 6 in the first. The period went by in a hurry although a lot of action was seen on both sides. Stew Bell fought Formosa (Chicago) during the first and I think it had to be called a draw. Stewart is fighting better each time out. Period two is on the way and all that's left to say is: Let's Go Blues!!!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
It has taken me a while to cool down after a second period that looked more like the Great Train Robbery that culminated with a puck hitting the cross bar and dropping into the crease being given to the Hitmen as a goal, and a referee being overheard telling the coach that he'd given the Jr. Blues the shaft with some of his calls. Unfortunately this is too often the case with on ice officials in the NAHL. Is it too much to hope for that teams have professional, competent on ice officials at this level of hockey? That particular goal gave the Hitmen a come from behind lead and made a huge difference in the game.
The Jr. Blues played hard and worked hard, but lost in overtime to a much improved Hitmen team. The Jr. Blues third period effort, coming back from a two goal deficit to tie the game with 7 seconds to play in regulation is the stuff of movies. Unfortunately for the good guys Chicago score in overtime to win the game. One cannot help wondering how different the outcome might have been with professional grade officials working on ice.
Next weekend the Jr. Blues host the Topeka Roadrunners at the Nelson Center. Game time, as always throughout the season is 7:00 pm both Friday and Saturday night. Come on out and bring some friends. The Good Guys will play hard and fight to the very last second of the game. It is inexpensive family entertainment, and everyone will enjoy this season's version of the Springfield Jr. Blues.
North American Hockey League Stories from October 24, 2010
- Stars Edged, 3-2 - Traverse City North Stars
- Eight Is Enough as Tornado Beat up IceRays, 8-3 - Texas Tornado
- Jr. Blues Fall to Chicago Hitmen in OT - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Corpus Christi Swept up by the Tornado, 2-1 - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Wild Bests Monsters in Shootout - Wenatchee Wild
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