Super Win
Published on November 19, 2011 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Springfield Jr. Blues News Release
I have to give kudos to Topeka, Kansas. Last night I was with Ryan Doner as he was treated in the Emergency room for possible broken bones in his foot. The staff in the ER couldn't have been nicer, or more helpful during a busy Friday night. As Ryan and I waited to go back to an exam room more and more patients came through the giant revolving door to be seen by a doctor. When I asked for an ice pack for Ryan's foot I was greeted with a warm smile and quick service by people who truly cared about their patients.
X-rays were taken and possible small cracks were interpreted by the ER physician. The entire experience was as positive as it could possibly be, and then topped off by the hospital calling for a taxi, at no charge to either of us. The driver was prompt in his arrival and took us by a pharmacy to fill Ryan's prescription, and then on to the Golden Arches supper club drive-through before taking us back to our hotel. The service at the hospital and taxi company went above and beyond for a couple of "Out-of-Towners", and made a trying time a whole lot easier. Thank you Topeka!
After a couple of long days, coupled with a long evening after the hockey game spent at the local hospital emergency room, that was the most comfortable hotel bed I've slept in in a long, long time. I did not need a lullaby!
Topeka comes into tonight's game one point out of second place in the South Division. The Jr. Blues continue to struggle and remain one point out of third place in the Midwest Division. We will keep a close eye on the Coulee Region - Janesville game and pass the score along as we get the chance. If the Good Guys can pull off a win on Topeka's ice, and Janesville can beat the Chill tonight, the Blues could jump into third place, but we'll just have to watch the games unfold.
The Blues will be leaving on Thanksgiving break early this coming week. They will not have games next weekend. They will return to action at home against the St. Louis Bandits December 2 at the Nelson Center. So, after tonight's game it is a long six hour bus ride home, a short week as some of the guys have flights scheduled for tomorrow and the rest will head out Monday or Tuesday. Barbara and I will host the family for Thanksgiving, the gals will head out for black Friday's shopping and then the two of us will head out on a "busman's holiday". Hmmm, I don't get a weekend off from the road ¬Â¦
Topeka brings a 14-7-2 record into action tonight while the Blues, though making improvements, have struggled to an 8-13-1 record. The guys played hard last night, but once the Runners scored the first goal you could almost see the momentum shift. If you haven't seen the game sheet, there were only two instances of penalties called throughout the entire game. Unfortunately, the penalties were all whistled against the Blues. I don't recall ever watching a game where one team played a whole game without being whistled at least once. It has been a strange season already and we aren't even half way through it. The team needs this Thanksgiving break to rest, recover, and regroup.
The Jr. Blues have taken on a new defensive look as they are like flies drawn to honey. The fore check is working well for the Good Guys and Topeka struggled during the first period to clear their defensive zone and mount an offensive attack. The Blues need to keep it up tonight and not allow a puck battle in front of Connor Girard. As usual, the games against the Roadrunners will probably go right down to the wire with a see-saw battle throughout the game. The Blues took the first period. We'll hope for the advantage during the second and third as well. Let's go home winners tonight. Time will tell. Second period is on the way.
The usual bucket bangers aren't gathered behind the Blues bench tonight, at least not right now. That is unusual!
The second period belonged to the Blues as they continued to keep the Roadrunners off balance. Nick Hudek scored for the Blues at the 3:58 mark, assisted by Shayne MacLaughlin. Just thirty seconds later Kevin Walters tickled the twine after taking a pass from Kyle Cook. As the second period progressed, you could see the frustration level rise on the Roadrunners as there was more pushing and shoving in front of the goal, even after the whistle.
Brett Skibba went down on the ice and stayed there for what seemed like a long time. He finally made it over to the Blues bench under his own power. His diagnosis is a concussion so he won't play any more tonight. With all the injuries to the Blues, it is a good time for the Thanksgiving break. If we played next week we might not have enough healthy bodies to put on the ice.
Period three up next!
The Blues continued controlling the puck and the game throughout the third. Mike Williams scored to put the game out of reach. His goal came at 7:20 on as assist from Kevin Walters. Final score in Topeka - Blues 4, Roadrunners 0.
Now comes the badly needed break to heal up all the injuries to the Good Guys.
Have a happy, safe Thanksgiving and give thanks won'
North American Hockey League Stories from November 19, 2011
- Super Win - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Bruins finish weekend with a split - Austin Bruins
- 'Runners Muck out 3-1 Win over Jr. Blues - Topeka Pilots
- Port Huron Overcomes North Stars in Shootout - Traverse City North Stars
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