Revamped Blues Roster Earns Split With U.S. National Team
December 21, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Springfield Jr. Blues News Release
After getting blown out 6-1 on Friday night, the Springfield Jr. Blues beat the U.S. National Development team 4-3 on Saturday to split the series. Three new faces on the team were responsible for a good portion of the weekend scoring. On Saturday night, trailing 3-1 late in the second period, the Blues scored three unanswered goals to gain the win. New forward Kyle Verbeek, who joined the team just hours before the weekend series, started off the Blues scoring with a powerplay goal at 17:14 of the first period to tie the game at one apiece. Mike Schaber and another new-comer, defenseman Randy Cure, assisted on the play. The USNDTP scored twice to go ahead 3-1 before Rob Dongara, with an assist from Matt! Globke, made it 3-2 before the end of the second period. The third period was all-Springfield's. Defenseman Randy Cure scored a powerplay goal at 8:56 to tie the game. Nick Curry and Zack Kamrass assisted on the goal. The winner came at 17:24 of the period when Nick Curry scored. The assists went to Verbeek and Schaber. Matt Wichoek was between the pipes and played solid goal, turning aside 33 of 36 shots in the win.
In Friday's 6-1 loss, another fresh face, Brandon Bahnemann scored Springfield's only tally, with assists by Jon Gaffney and Brandon Lowndes. Goaltender CJ Groh turned away 23 of the 29 shots he faced in the loss.
NOTES......Both Zach Kamrass and Jon Bobb were back in the lineup after being out with ankle injuries......In all, the new faces were a factor in four of the five Springfield goals scored over the weekend. All three players were obtained during a flury of transactions during the last two weeks, which added much needed fire-power to an anemic Springfield offense. The transactions started after the Blues got swept at home by the Wichita Falls Wildcats. First, former Blues defenseman Dan Weiss who returned from a stint in the USHL, was traded to St. Louis for cash and tenders. The Blues then dealt defenseman Jarrett Galbreath to the Alexandria Blizzard for Brandon Bahnemann in a straight up swap. The 6'1" 185 lb Bahnemann was th! e Blizzard's second leading scorer with 22 points. Next came 6'1" 190 lb Randy Cure. Cure was obtained from the Fairbanks Ice Dogs after starting the season with Tri-City of the USHL. The most recent move brought 5'11", 190 lb Kyle Verbeek from the Mahoning Valley Phantoms. Verbeek, the son of former NHL star Pat Verbeek, brings speed and experience to a young Springfield team. Verbeek had never precticed with the team before joining them in Ann Arbor. Cure and Bahnemann had only practiced twice with the team. While the team will have a few days off for the Christmas holiday, there still should be plenty of time before the December 31st game in Topeka for the players to get better aquainted with their new teammates........
In any event, the Blues appear to be ready for a much better second half of the season. With fifteen losses coming from a one-goal margin or a shootout loss, the Blues have been competitive in most every game playing in the tou! ghest division in the NAHL. However, it's time to move past th! at and p ost some wins.... Have we seen the last of the player reshuffling?? Not likely. "As the trading deadline approaches, team's will do their last-minute tinkering to get ready for the playoffs," according to assistant coach Andy Maher. " We'll be watching to see if the right player becomes available that could help us. I'd like to think that some of the guys that are not contributing as much right now will step up. If they do, we'll be a Robertson Cup contender". The Blues next home games are January 16th and 17th vs. former NAHL Champions, the St. Louis Bandits.
North American Hockey League Stories from December 21, 2008
- U.S. Nat'l Jr. Team Upends LAT, 13-2, in Pre-Tournament Game - U.S. National Team
- Stars Surrender Lead, Game - Traverse City North Stars
- Captains Named For 2009 US Nat'l Jr Team - U.S. National Team
- Revamped Blues Roster Earns Split With U.S. National Team - Springfield Jr. Blues
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