NAHL Springfield Jr. Blues

Sweet

Published on October 8, 2011 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Springfield Jr. Blues News Release


How long will the Blues allow the Bandits to have our number' For the past several years the Bandits have had their way with the Jr. Blues. I for one am tired of it, so I'll be in the press box cheering the Good Guys on, even if it is quietly. So tonight is another night, game three of twelve against one of the league's top teams. Maybe tonight we'll see the Blues shine and play up to their potential. One thing for sure, win, lose, or draw, these young men that play for the blue and gold have won our hearts and the dreaded Bandits will never, that's NEVER change our love for our team.

The bus ride from Springfield was uneventful and quiet as the team watched a long cop movie all the way to the rink at the Ice Plex. Sitting in front, I made the following observations: Garrett Williams is back and still wears a big grin with style. It's good to have him back in the fold. As the guys got off the bus and we went through our "bump knuckles" routine this group was focused. I have no doubt they hate losing to the Bandits too. There were positive comments made by the players and there is a determination in the air. We'll watch how it plays out on the ice. And once again, I won't be able to bring you the broadcast.

As a side note, my employer has kept me busy and on the road the last two weeks. Wednesday I drove from Springfield to St. Louis, back to Springfield and then to Indianapolis and back, a long fourteen hour day. Thursday I left Springfield again and drove to Sioux City, Iowa. I made it back to the "World's largest truck stop" just outside the Quad Cities before calling it a day. That was a fifteen hour haul, and enough for one day. I came on back into Springfield yesterday (Friday), and decided to take a night off since I knew I wouldn't be able to bring you the game on FASTHockey from St. Louis. After a "little nap" Barb and I took in the homecoming activities with family down at Auburn, Illinois. The best part of the homecoming was the Auburn Trojan football team winning a game they weren't supposed to, just a happy reminder that that is why they play the games. Maybe the Jr. Blues will carry that on tonight with a win in St. Louis. I apologize to you all for no article on last night's game.

The Blues have their work cut out for themselves. They are still trying to find themselves as a team, but they are making progress, and it won't happen overnight. In time, under Coach Dibble's guidance, I am positive they will come together and be the force many opposing coaches figured them to be this year. Even with the current record of 3 - 7 - 0, I expect them to rebound and be that force. Keep cheering for them!

It's good to see Kevin Walters on the ice tonight. Appendectomy during the summer, and gall bladder surgery shortly after the start of the season, we sincerely hope he has no more health issues ‚¬Â¦period. I know he'll be ready to go and will be chompin' at the bit to see some action.

Tyler Parks gets the nod to start in goal tonight. Mike Parnell and Cody Kohn will start on "D", Gavin Tufte and Mike Williams get the nod at forwards and Ethan Nauman will start at center. Tonight would be a good night to upset the home team!

The puck was dropped promptly (or sorta, anyway) at 6:00 pm and we were off and skating. The Good Guys scored first at the 14 minute mark only to see the Bandits tie the score a few minutes later. The Blues scored again to regain the lead and before I could type this in they scored again! With some tete-a-tete throughout the period the Blues head into the locker room with a 3 - 1 lead. We know that Jeff Brown will get on his guys and they will respond, but this was a super first period for our team.

Gavin Tufte scored the Blues first goal with an assist from Ethan Nauman, Cookie Monster (Kyle Cook) scored to give the good guys the lead again. He was assisted on the goal by Mike Parnell and Chris Sitler. Joe Pontasch put the Jr. Blues up by two with another assist by Chris Sitler. The Blues looked sharp and were successful in keeping the Bandits off balance.

You just knew Coach Brown would have his guys come out with a vengeance for the second period, but the Blues were ready. The Bandits changed Goalies for the second period, but the Blues scored again at the 4:20 mark to lead 4 - 1. Sitler scored the goal and Cookie assisted to put Springfield up by three.

Another Power Play goal by the Bandits at 11:02 of the second made it 4 - 2. Then a power play goal by Cookie from Pontasch, and the Blues keep comin'! That makes it 5 - 2!! Just when St. Louis looked like they were going to make some moves, the Blues scored to make it 6 - 2. That goal scored by Cookie with help from Cody Kohn. The Junior Blues took a four goal lead into the locker room at the second intermission. The third and final period coming up! The intensity that sometime has been less than inviting has been hammered by the Blues through two periods tonight. One more period to go and things keep looking up for our team, and then we can breathe again.

The Blues did not back off in the third period and found themselves up 7 - 2 at the 13 minute mark, and as things heated up physically, the Blues kept giving as good as they got. Jeff Brown refused to come out on the bench for the third. I saw the coach climb the steps and sit in the corner. I'm not sure, but I don't think he was very happy with his team.

A break in the action came with just over 12 minutes left in the game when a glass panel broke in the Zamboni door. That was just after the Bandits picked up a penalty for roughing when their player wrapped Stew Bell up around the neck and took him to the ice. The third period in a Blues - Bandits game is always interesting and physical. Tonight is really no different, but with the Good Guys up be a wide margin it is a whole lot more fun!

So, are the Springfield Jr. Blues back' If not they are surely on the way. They have responded to Joe Dibble's style of coaching and play in a big way, and they can score in bunches. Let's hope this gets that Bandit monkey off the guys back. The Bandits are not invincible as much as they would like everyone to believe. This Division could turn into a real horse race. You just had to know the Blues were better than they had shown through the first seven games. I think maybe the Blues surprised themselves as well as St. Louis and everyone in the rink tonight as to just how good they can be. We had high hopes coming into this season, but there was some doubt after the horrendous start. They aren't all the way back yet, but I've been telling anyone that would listen how much talent and skill these guys possess. They are good! Just how good is yet to be seen. But I'll bet you one thing, the guys are gonna have fun showing us just who the Springfield Jr. Blues will turn out to be.

That'll do it for tonight. It's a huge win in St. Louis. The team has next weekend off, but come back for a three game set against Chicago the weekend following. The games will be Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Come on out to the Nellie and watch the Blues. The excitement is back!

Check out the Springfield Jr. Blues Statistics

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North American Hockey League Stories from October 8, 2011


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