NAHL Springfield Jr. Blues

Victory in Janesville

October 29, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Springfield Jr. Blues News Release


The bus left the rink promptly, sort of, at 10:00 am this morning. The guys are loose and ready to go for a great weekend. After losing two games to Janesville a few weeks ago, I think it's safe to say the guys want a little revenge. It's time to turn this season around and make a run at where we think this team should be.

The Blues showed a lot of character in the win over Chicago on Sunday after a humbling pair of defeats to the Hitmen on Friday and Saturday nights. They could have tucked their collective tails and slinked off into oblivion, but instead they hunkered down, did what they had to do and "ground it out". None of the three games were pretty and the two losses were extremely frustrating, but the team built more character to help them down the road toward the playoffs.

With a bit of humor, one of the players stated after Saturday's loss to Chicago, that after dropping into the cellar of the Midwest Division of the North American Hockey League, "the only way to go is up, up, up!" Sometimes a team with less talent matches up better with your team than one with a better record, and when you take a win for granted before you play, you have your lunch handed to you. You can't take any team for granted in this league this year. There is more parity in this league than I've seen before and any team can win on any given night. Look for more wins from the Jr. Blues as they begin to take advantage of their talent and gell into the team we expected them to be at the start of this season. Now, that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it! I still believe in this team, but they need a great deal more support from the fans. We certainly hope to see more in the stands next week when the team takes on the Topeka Roadrunners. But first the Good Guys need to take two from the Jets.

By the way, if you've never travelled north from Bloomington on I-39, you haven't missed anything! It has to be the most boring highway in the U.S.A. The only thing to break up the monotony of flat farm fields is highway construction and the wind farms. It can be excrutiating! To paraphrase a state government ad, it is "Mile after BORING mile!"

It's paint the rink pink in Janesville and they have a good crowd. The first period went by in a big hurry as the Good Guys scored first on a Josef Pontasch goal with an assist by Chris Sitler at the 7:47 mark. That's the way it stood until Janesville tied it at 12:13 of the first. I stand by the boards in Janesville and the Blues are definitely finishing their checks! Stew Bell and Chris Sitler both nearly put guys through the boards in front of me. I think they wanted to introduce the boys in pink to me. They really rattled the boards. I'm glad the boards held up and did the job they are designed to do.

The Janesville team is in bright pink jerseys tonight with matching socks. They look pretty sharp. It's time to start the second!

Period two came and went in a hurry as both teams were up and down the ice. Tyler Rehm was called for spearing and ejected from the game, but Kyle Cook put the Blues up 2 - 1 as he took a pass through the crease and put it past Kujava at the 11:03 mark. Chris Sitler and Paul Byrne assisted on the play.

And what can you say about Tyler Parks in goal' The young Goalie has stopped some shots that, after watching, I still don't know how he got to the puck. He continues to stop shot after shot for the Good Guys. He has done an amazing job between the pipes tonight through the first two periods. Period three is on the way.

Period three mirrored the first two in intensity and speed. Janesville scored at 13:47 to tie the game. I began to think overtime, maybe shootout, but Mike Williams took the puck on a breakaway and elevated his wrist shot top shelf to regain the lead for the Blues with five minutes to play. I began to breathe a little easier until four seconds later the Jr Blues were called for a penalty. We've played three games in Janesville this year and in all three games the team has been penalized in the last five minutes. It seems we are watching a trend' At 15:46 Paul Byrne was given four minutes for running the Jets Goalie. When Coach Dibble stated: "You've got to be kidding me", to referee Wynd he received a two minute minor for abuse of officials. That gave Janesville, who came into the game 10 - 0 - 1, a five on three advantage. The penalty kill threesome took to the ice for Springfield and played inspired defense. Janesville could not score on the five on three. When the Blues got a man back the Jets pulled their Goalie which still gave Janesville a two man advantage. The defense continued to hold on and when the final horn sounded, the Jr. Blues had given Janesville their first loss of the season.

Even the Jets fans thought it was one of the best games they had seen in a long time, and I would have to agree. Being on the winning side after so much adversity this season just made it all the better. The final score was 3 - 2, Good Guys, and it was a sweet victory. The same two teams go at it again Saturday night, and I'll be there to bring you the game on FASTHockey internet pay-per-view. Game time is 7:05 pm.

Finally, on a side note, Coach Dibble's Father-in-law passed away early Thursday morning after a long battle with health issues. Our condolences and prayers go out to Joe, wife Raven and the family.

It's Jr. Blues versus the Jets again Saturday night at 7:05. It promises to be another ‚¬Ëœbarn burner' of a game! Let's go Blues!

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