NAHL Springfield Jr. Blues

Jr. Blues win in OT

Published on October 16, 2010 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Springfield Jr. Blues News Release


The Jr. Blues want this game very much! A win tonight erases the horrendous start they had at the start of this season. A win tonight would even the record at 8 - 8. It won't be an easy task, but I think the guys are up to it. This team, as I've said before, is special. They have a chemistry that will take them far, both as a team and individually as they progress beyond their hockey careers. They personify "Team". They will play any opponent tough from the drop of the puck to the final horn. They will not give up no matter the odds against them. And...they are fun to watch!

Here is an observation from yours truly...I haven't heard much from the nay-sayers since the team has turned it around, but that's okay. Andy and Joe have done well in selection and coaching to put this team together. We just haven't seen how good they can be yet!

Tonight the North Stars will come out and play hard for the win. That, after all is what good teams do. The Jr. Blues will have to bring their "A" game tonight to win. Let's Go Blues!

I enjoyed the win last night and doing the play by play on FASTHockey, but the local folks in the press box with me were very hospitable and made me feel comfortable before, during and after the game. I appreciate that and will do the same when they come to Springfield. As Barb would be quick to remind me, "Positive is Better". And I've come to see that she is right. This year is a lot more fun...

Congratulations to Ethan Nauman on his Goal and Assist last night. That gives him 22 points and the scoring lead in the NAHL. His closest competition is now three points behind him. Barb and I billet Ethan and one of our cats has adopted him. The cat was not happy that Ethan wasn't home to keep him warm last night. Cats can be so ungrateful at times...

The first period was played fairly evenly throughout the first twenty minutes. The North Stars outshot the Jr. Blues 9 to 6, but Springfield took the lead at 15:08 of the period on a goal by Zak "Attack" Turco with an assist from Shayne McLaughlin. Shayne in better shape tonight after suffering a nose bleed and being bested when he dropped the gloves last night.

Period two coming up!

And what a period it was! Andrew Martin is playing the best game I've watched him play. The Jr. Blues are being out shot tonight through two periods 24 - 13, and Andrew has been prone several times stopping shot after shot. The Blues are in a dog fight and let's hope they can prevail again tonight in the third! More to come. The Jr. Blues worked the hardest tonight than in any game I've watched them play. Traverse City brought their "A" game to the rink tonight. Both teams battled hard without any let up. The North Stars scored in the third period to tie the game and that's how it ended up after three periods of regulation. So to overtime it went. The Jr. Blues would not be denied as they worked their hardest of the game. I thought we were going to go to a shootout when a pass was taken by none other than Smilin' Jack Callahan out front on the far side. He did nothing more than what he did in St. Louis recently, he sent a wrister from out front past the Traverse City goalie for the win! This team just won't quit. They work their tails off and the results are showing! They are 8 - 2 in their last ten games, and show no sign of letting up any time soon. This makes an!other four game win streak with a chance to add on to it tomorrow.

When these guys come home at the end of the month to play Topeka I'm encouraging everyone to bring someone to the rink to watch this team. I keep saying they are special, so plan to attend and see for yourself. Anyone who is a hockey fan, let alone a Jr. Blues fan should come out and watch this team. You won't be disappointed! And they keep getting better. You won't find another team in this league who works harder. I guarantee it

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North American Hockey League Stories from October 16, 2010


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