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Springfield Sings The Blues

April 4, 2013 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- The Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings were paced by seven goals, as they handled the Springfield Jr. Blues by a score of 7-1 in game one of the best-of-three North Division Quarterfinals.

Kalamazoo had an absolutely flawless start to game one of the series, as they were able to explode out to an early lead in the first. Starting at the 9:15 mark of the first, Danny Hamburg (1st) sprang on a loose puck and was able to give the Jr. K-Wings an important 1-0 lead.

Kalamazoo didn't have to wait long for the lead to extend, as Mac McDonnell led a three-on-one through the neutral zone. After gaining the Springfield zone, he dished off for Luc Boby, who delivered a tape-to-tape feed back to McDonnell who was left all alone in front of the goal for his 1st of the post-season.

The quick strike offense was in full effect for Kalamazoo, as only 2:22 separated goal number two from goal number three. This time it was Paddy Spellacy carrying in on the odd man rush and ripping a wrister past Springfield goalie, Matt Leon. Leon struggled in the first, surrendering three goals on sixteen shots.

The Jr. K-Wings stuck to their ways into period number two, as their offensive attack was just getting started. Taylor Burden (1st) got the scoring underway in the second with a quick wrist shot that beat Leon, and gave Kalamazoo a 4-0 lead.

Just over five minutes later, Kalamazoo added to their already commanding lead. Boby got his first period favor returned by McDonnell and was able to score his 1st of the playoffs on a two-on-one break.

Adding to the lead moments later was Robbie Payne. Payne (1st) got a great pass from Mike Fazio and was able to pick the top corner with a wrist shot on Kalamazoo's second power play opportunity of the day. The goal forced Springfield to pull Leon in favor of backup, Ryan Kellenberger.

Four and a half minutes later, with under five to play in the second, Matt Wurst sent an eye-level, 80 foot saucer pass onto the stick of McDonnell, who walked in all alone on a breakaway. His forehand to backhand move was enough to freeze Kellenberger for Mcdonell to slide it home for his second of the game and second of the playoffs. It gave Kalamazoo a 7-0 lead to take into the third period.

The Jr. Blues wouldn't be blanked for the entire sixty minutes, as Jack Sloan pocketed his first of the playoffs with a heavy slap shot from the blue line that beat Kalamazoo goalie Marcus Due-Boje.

It would be the only offensive output from the Blues, as Due-Boje led Kalamazoo in a dominating game one performance.

The Jr. K-Wings will take the ice again on Saturday, April 6th at 2:00 p.m. as these two teams will faceoff in game two of the best-of-three opening round of the North Division Playoffs.

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