Jr. Blues Weekend Preview
Published on November 15, 2012 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Springfield Jr. Blues News Release
Springfield Jr. Blues (9-9-2, 20 Points) vs. Topeka Roadrunners (14-4-2, 30 Points)
Two Games -- Friday, November 16th and Saturday, November 17th
Both games at the Nelson Center; puck will drop at 7:05 pm Central Time
Season Series (8 Head-to-Head Matchups in 2012-2013
(season series tied 1-1 through 2-of-8 total meetings)
Game 1-Jr. Blues 2, Roadrunners 0 (October 19th) Kansas Expo in Kansas
Game 2-Roadrunners 1, Jr. Blues 0 (October 20th) Kansas Expo in Kansas
Game 3-Roadrunners vs. Jr. Blues (November 16th) Nelson Center (7:05 pm)
Game 4-Roadrunners vs. Jr. Blues (November 17th) Nelson Center (7:05 pm)
Game 5-Roadrunners vs. Jr. Blues (December 7th) Nelson Center (7:05 pm)
Game 6-Roadrunners vs. Jr. Blues (December 8th) Nelson Center (7:05 pm)
Game 7-Jr. Blues vs. Roadrunners (December 28th) Kansas Expo (7:05 pm)
Game 8-Jr. Blues vs. Roadrunners (December 29th) Kansas Expo (7:05 pm)
Last Weekend Results
-The Jr. Blues went 1-1 against the Soo Eagles at home. (5-3 win Fri; 5-2 loss Sat)
-The Roadrunners went 1-1 against the Amarillo Bulls at home. (5-2 win Fri; 4-2 loss Sat.)
Big Story of the Weekend
This weekend will feature the Jr. Blues playing host to one of the top teams thus far in the North American Hockey League, the Topeka Roadrunners. Topeka enters the series, having won 14 of their first 20 games, and is a league best 8-1-1 away from home. They are led by a a combo of forwards in Sean Gaffney and Kyle Sharkley, as well as one of the leagues' best goalies in Spencer Viele. Gaffney has 30 points this season and has scored 16 goals. Sharkley has scored 13 goals and has the teams second most goals with 13. Spencer Viele has an overall record on the season of 10-1-0 in 11 starts between the pipes and shut out Springfield in his only start against them on October 20th in Topeka's 1-0 win inside the Kansas Expo.
The Jr. Blues enter with having won five of their last six games, and are looking to start a new winning streak following last Saturday night's 5-2 loss to the Soo Eagles. Head coach Tony Zaoswski and assistant Mike Janda have their young and athletic club playing their best hockey of the season, and have a goalie in Matt Leon who has a win streak of his own still intact entering his start on Friday night. Leon has won five starts in a row and shut out the Roadrunners on October 19th.
Who is Hot Entering This Weekend's Series (Both Teams)
-Matt Leon -The Jr. Blues game one goaltender has been one of the hottest between the pipes over the last month of the season and is a large part in the teams recent success. He is 6-3-2 overall on the season and entering his start on Friday, he owns a five game winning streak. In his only start this season against the Roadrunners, Leon shut Topeka out.
-Spencer Viele -The Roadrunners starting goaltender has been one of the best that the North American Hockey League has to offer between the pipes. Viele is 10-1-0 in 11 starts this season and owns a six game win streak himself. In his only start against the Jr. Blues this season, Spencer shut Springfield out as Topeka won 1-0 back on October 20th inside the Kansas Expo.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 15, 2012
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- Eagles at the One-Third Mark - Soo Eagles
- Naglevoort, Rivard Earn Weekly Honors - Soo Eagles
- Marble Earns Goaltender of the Month Honors - Soo Eagles
- Jr. Blues Weekend Preview - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Janesville Jets Salute the Troops at Weekend Games - Janesville Jets
- Tomahawks Welcome the Hanson Brothers to Johnstown - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Falcons Trade For Army Recruit - Port Huron Fighting Falcons
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