Time for a Break
December 18, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Springfield Jr. Blues News Release
Today is the third and final game of this three game series. The Blues played better last night, but still lost to the Bandits. At least they played better than they did Friday night at the Nelson Center. Inconsistency still plagues the team, and they continue to remind me of the childhood rhyme; "when they are good they are very, very good, but when they're bad they're horrid!" There is a lot of frustration in the organization, with good reason, because expectations were extremely high as we approached the start of the season. I still think they can turn this season around, but the team will need to work harder and smarter. They need to watch more and more film and listen intently to everything the coaches instruct them in. I truly believe this team has the talent to surprise some folks come play-off time.
Most of the guys will take off after today's game for Christmas break, and won't be on the ice for a game until New Year's Eve. Hopefully during the holiday break the injuries will be healed and everyone will be back to contribute to a fantastic run toward the end of the season. The season still is not a loss, but this team can go a long way with consistency of play and a positive attitude. They need to all be on the same page with the coaches and "Git'er Done!" I, for one, think they can turn this season around, and I for one, believe they will do just that. So, after today's game, everyone have a safe trip home and have a super holiday. Heal up all who need to heal. Everyone (team members) rest up because there is another season coming up right after Christmas. We play Topeka on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day at Topeka, so let's make sure we are ready to go on a winning streak. That's my Christmas list also, for the guys to come back from the holiday break and play great, as they are capable of doing, and go on a long winning streak for the rest of the season. Go Get'em Blues! And give me my Christmas present...PLEASE! I will thank you, but my wife will thank you more!
And before I forget, we have the Jr. Blues Blog up and running. You can access it by going to: www.jrblues.wordpress.com. Try it and let us know what you think of it. We look forward to getting feedback. It's still a work in progress, but eventually it will be the primary source of communication from me as I will eventually write the articles directly to the Blog.
The first period was controlled by the Bandits as they took the opening face-off and the majority of puck drops throughout the first twenty minutes. Both teams were up and down the ice until the Bandits' passing found an open side of the net and they scored at the 9:32 mark. The teams went to first intermission with that 1 - 0 score. It seems like the "hockey gods" are frowning on the Blues as two shots rang off the goal post for no score.
Period two saw the Blues tie the game on a pass from Cook to Pontasch. Kevin Walters also assisted on the play. The goal came at 1:30, shortly after the second stanza began. The tie held up until the 17:21 mark when Boby scored for the Bandits on an assist from Johnson. The Bandits led by one again on a 2 - 1 score as the teams headed for the locker room and second intermission.
The Blues came out for the third period and it looked like they had tied the score at the :18 mark, but it was ruled a "no goal" and the Bandits still led 2 - 1. At the 3:00 minute mark St. Louis scored their third goal and went up 3 - 1. That took some of the wind from the Blues sails with that one, but the team didn't let down and scored at the 11:23 mark to get back within one. Ruslan Pedan scored on a short-handed break-away goal unassisted. The Blues pulled Girard out of goal for an extra attacker but were unable to get the puck past the Bandits'Goalie. Final score stayed 3 - 1.
The Blues head home for the Christmas break and we hope they can get healed up and hungry to change things around as we head out for two games with the Roadrunners in Topeka at New Years.
For all the fans and followers of the Springfield Jr. Blues, we wish you a happy and blessed Christmas, and a safe holiday season. We'll bring you the games from Topeka on Friday, December 30th. Merry Christmas everyone.
North American Hockey League Stories from December 18, 2011
- Time for a Break - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Kalamazoo Trounces Michigan on Home Ice - Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings
- Blues Play Well on Saturday Night - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Bulls Beat Odessa 5-2 - Amarillo Bulls
- Bobcats Stung in Overtime by Austin - Bismarck Bobcats
- IceRays Fall to New Mexico 5-3 - Corpus Christi IceRays
- IceRays Fall to New Mexico 5-3 - Corpus Christi IceRays
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.
