NAHL Springfield Jr. Blues

Third Place with a Win

Published on December 12, 2011 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Springfield Jr. Blues News Release


Congratulations again to the Jr. Blues team and organization on last night's 500th victory as a member of the North American Hockey League. Springfield is the longest running franchise in the league, and in their eighteenth year of Junior Hockey. In addition to that, the Jr. Blues are the longest running sports franchise in the City of Springfield. The team has outlasted the St. Louis Cardinals AAA and A teams as well as many other teams that have come and gone by the wayside. Kudos to the leadership, players and fans that have been a part of this storied organization. Even at that I think the Springfield Jr. Blues and hockey are the best kept secrets in the city and surrounding area. If the Good Guys start playing consistently we might not stay that way. It would be really neat to see a return to the days of the "standing room only" crowds and have another opportunity to win it all! Let's go Blues!

I didn't know at the time what started the big brawl last night until I watched the game film afterward. Then I saw that the player who left the ice with a bloody nose had slashed Tyler Parks (our goalie) a short time before the face off that led to the conflagration. It's not nice to do things like that to the goalie, or any other player for that matter. In the game of hockey there is an unwritten rule that if a player from one team does something unsportsmanlike to a member of the opposing team, there are consequences that will have to be paid. I think the young Hitman had his nose broken. Sometimes the price of on ice transgression is high.

I was glad to meet Kevin Tremain today. Kevin has been assigned by the State Journal-Register to take over Jr. Blues hockey for the retired Don Trello. Don said goodbye to the Springfield area after his retirement and is enjoying the retired life down in Florida. Kevin is in the house tonight and we look forward to his article in tomorrow's paper. We wish him the best of luck and a long career covering the Good Guys! It will be nice to see something more than the box score from the game sheet.

Well, we picked up right where we left off with the physical play. One of the Hitmen put Brent Skibba down to the ice with an elbow to the head. Again, the Blues are playing smash-mouth hockey. When the penalty was up Stew Bell jumped him as he came out of the box. Stew made an early exit and the Chicago coaches went ballistic with name calling and "F-Bombs" being shouted by the Chicago coaches. There is no love lost between these two organizations.

Gavin Tufte drew first blood with a goal at 4:13. He was assisted by Kevin Walters and Stew Bell. The Blues scored a short-handed goal by Ethan Nauman over the Chicago Goalie's left shoulder. Kevin Walters got his second assist of the evening. Chicago scored a goal 32 seconds later to make the score at the first intermission 2 - 1 in favor of the Good Guys!

Period two was all Jr. Blues as they scored three more goals in approximately 3 ½ minutes. Josef Pontasch scored two of the three, one of which was a short-handed goal for a 5 - 1 lead at the second intermission. The Good Guys have made a statement with the Hitmen that if you want to play cheap shot hockey, you will pay a price. Apparently the on-ice officials have made it plain to both benches that enough is enough with the rough stuff as it has vanished from the scene. It is still hard-nosed hockey, but the fighting has stopped...so far. Period three up next.

The Hitmen came out with a vengeance and a lot of energy for the third period, but the Blues kept them at bay. Chicago scored at 2:08, but Nauman came right back with a goal to make it 6 - 2. The Hitmen scored twice more to make it interesting, but Josef Pontasch scored his hat trick goal to make the final score 7 - 4 (an empty net goal).

The Blues had the three stars of the game who were; third star - Chris Sitler, second star was Ethan Nauman (Whose Mom has a birthday this week), and the first star and obvious choice - Joe Pontasch.

Congratulations to the Blues, winners of two out of three games to make their record now stand at 12 -15-1. With the win today the Good Guys take over third place in the Midwest Division.

Next week is a three game, home-away-home series with St. Louis. The Blues may just be hitting their stride, so if you can, come on out and bring some friends. The Good Guys rule. Let's go Blues!

Check out the Springfield Jr. Blues Statistics

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North American Hockey League Stories from December 12, 2011


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.

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