NAHL Springfield Jr. Blues

Springfield Jr. Blues Fall to Texas Tornado

Published on March 13, 2010 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Springfield Jr. Blues News Release


A year of "what ifs" and "if onlys" is drawing to a rapid conclusion, and maybe that's a good thing. To most Jr. Blues fans it's been a terribly disappointing season of abundant injuries and too many losses. Just seven more games with four at home before our super great fans and two in Topeka and it will be time for the playoffs, or the end of the season. With all the bad breaks our Jr. Blues are still sitting pretty for the last playoff spot in the Southern Division. If the season finishes up the way it stands now, we'll wrap up the season in Topeka, then turn around and play them in the first round. Win, lose or draw, warm weather is at our doorstep with the camps to keep our enthusiasm focused toward the 2010-2011 season and the hope of much better things to come for the good guys, many of whom have thoughts of playing for the Jr. Blues next year. But we still have to finish this season with the games at hand.

It's Texas with the former Jr. Blues coach, Tony Curtale in town for a three game series tonight, tomorrow night and Sunday afternoon. Hopefully, with a bit of Karma, we will see the good guys take three from those dastardly Tornados. Before the game started the drama began to unfold with Texas players walking out on the ice. They were challenged by a few of the Jr. Blues who reminded the Tornados that they were not supposed to be on the ice an hour before the game. What looked like something that might pick up where the first nineteen seconds of last week's first game in Texas was met with consternation from the on-ice officials. Before it was all over USA Hockey had banned Texas coach Nick Curtale from the bench, but that decision was quickly overturned by the NAHL Commish, Mark Frankenfeld. There certainly is no love lost between these two teams, especially after Texas won all three games last weekend in Frisco, Texas. And long time fans remember the kind of Jr. Blues teams that played the "Nellie" when Curtale coached here. Nuff said

After a period of each team testing the other, Texas scored twice to lead the Jr. Blues 2 - 0. Again, Nuff said

Period two, both teams fought hard to gain the upper hand. And the key word is "fought", as Cody Hotchkin and Michael Zagani were ejected for fighting. During their fight, two other fights broke out, and Joe Purull and Kevin O'Donnell joined Bam-Bam in the miniscule penalty box before Hotchkin left the ice for the dressing room. Just before the end of the period, T.J. Poganski attempted a big hit at center ice, but that allowed Texas a 3 on 1 and another goal for the Tornado. Period three on the way.

Period three was much the same as the first and second. The Jr. Blues had difficulty protecting the puck and Texas scored again. Several fights broke out as we seemed to be caught up in the Tornado's game of fight, fight, fight. Ah, well, tomorrow night is another game. Let's just hope the good guys play with a little more heart.

We send you more tomorrow. Let's just hope it can be more positive than what we saw tonight.

One positive note, Tanner Milliron came into to play goal in the third period. He's been sidelined for several weeks with a broken bone in his hand. And his new pads look sharp. More after next game.

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North American Hockey League Stories from March 13, 2010


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