Roadrunners Hold off Jr. Blues
Published on December 31, 2011 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Springfield Jr. Blues News Release
To begin tonight's article I owe an apology to the Byrne family. I have listed the injuries to the team in these articles, but have been remiss in listing Paul Byrne on that list! Paul took a puck to the foot which broke a bone a while back. Consequently, Paul, a defenseman, and integral part of the Springfield Jr. Blues this year has been missed both in the lineup and in my articles. He is to return to the lineup next week and I know he will be welcomed back by the entire organization. Again, my apologies to the Byrne family, and thanks for drawing my attention to my error. It certainly was not intentional.
New Year's eve...Twenty seven years ago I was blessed by a young blonde with four daughters to join our lives in marriage. And I do mean "our lives"! Life always has its ups and downs, but I can say with all honesty that my life has been enriched and blessed because of my lovely bride! Happy Anniversary Barbara! Is she with me in Topeka? Nope, I'm here to do the play by play and write, but she's with family on a mountain top in southeast Missouri. It's okay though because every day is a great day since she came into my life, whether we're together, or many miles apart. She is the greatest love of my life! (Hockey is a close runner up though, and like all good husbands I have her permission to accompany the Jr. Blues, even on our anniversary...)
With Paul Byrne rejoining the fray shortly as well as the other injured I've mentioned before, the Jr. Blues are looking for a resurgence to say the least. After a dismal first half of the campaign, the team is looking to turn things around in a big way. While last night was still a loss, there were some bright spots that were obvious. First, the team as a whole looked better and played hard for the entire game. The defense was solid and even though the offense couldn't buy a goal, they were right there right up to the end. It was one of the best efforts of the year. Three shots rang off the pipes and it could just as easily been a victory for the Blue and Gold. But that is why they play the games. Not every well-played game will end up in the win column, just as not every poorly-played game will end up as a loss. From what I observed last night the Springfield Jr. Blues are right there! They are going to turn this season around, and look out come playoff time. They won't win them all, but the season is looking brighter by the minute. Even in last night's defeat I am encouraged by their effort and enthusiasm. Let's watch them mirror last year's strong surge at the end of the season. At least this year's divisional setup won't work against them as it did last year, even though we play the likes of St. Louis and Topeka more than our divisional counterparts. Remember, what doesn't destroy you in adversity will make you stronger. We've watched enough adversity so far this season so let's get ready to reap some rewards!
I'm not sure, but I think the atmosphere around the Blues team seems to have changed. It seems to me, and this is only my observation as a "people watcher", but it appears there has been an attitude adjustment among this team of hockey players. They seem to know they are on the cusp of good things and it's just within their reach. We saw a confident, hard-working team play the Roadrunners last night. The frustration has been set aside, or gone all together, and they are on the verge of being a team with intimidating greatness. I can't think of a better time than now, tonight against the Scott Langer team, to cut lose and start showing their stuff. We need a win and I, too, am confident that tonight will be the night to start a new tradition. Warm ups start in about fifty minutes from the time this is going into this article.
The guys came out of the locker room and onto the ice with more "pep in their step". Let's see how it carries out when the game starts. I can hear the pucks ringing off the pipes at both ends of the ice during warm-ups.
This is the same bunch of guys that were here last night and played such good defense, but at the first intermission the Blue and Gold find themselves down 2 - 0. It doesn't look like the Blues have much energy tonight. Some of the guys were standing around flat footed during the first period. Let's see what happens during period two. Coach Dibble needs to fire the guys up or this will get to be ugly. One hundred percent of the shots you don't take won't go in, and you can't score if you don't shoot. The Blues were outshot according to the Topeka statisticians 10 - 2 during the opening twenty minutes, and if that trend continues the Blues will end 2011 on a sour note.
The Roadrunners scored again early in period two as Sean Gaffney scored at the 2:29 mark of the second. He was assisted by Luke Veitch and Michael Pastor. The Runners have controlled the puck through most of the first two periods and made the Blues look just plain sluggish at times. Even during the period with 10 shots apiece, the Blues had a break away by Kyle Cook and he was unable to convert. Traber has been sensational in goal for the Runners, as the Blues have been frustrated both last night with a shutout, and have been unable to score through the first two periods tonight.
Mitch Rogge and Garrett Williams were hurt in tonight's game leaving the Blues with just eight healthy Forwards left on the bench. More injuries and poor puck control and no offense to speak of won't win any games. It looks like a long ride home!
The Roadrunners defense held the Blues away and they could not score against Traber for the second night in a row. Tonight the Blues couldn't even ring "Ëem off the pipes.
We are home next week against the Kalamazoo K-Wings. Maybe a week of practice will make a positive impact. We can always hope that things will get turned around.
North American Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2011
- New Year's Sweep: Wild Climb Standings - Wenatchee Wild
- Jacks Ring In New Year With 4-1 Win - Odessa Jackalopes
- Bulls Beat New Mexico 6-2 - Amarillo Bulls
- IceRays lose on New Year's Eve - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Bruins finish 2011 with a bang - Austin Bruins
- Last game of 2011 ends in 4-1 loss for Tornado - Texas Tornado
- Roadrunners Hold off Jr. Blues - Springfield Jr. Blues
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
