Weekend Recap
March 10, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Springfield Jr. Blues News Release
The Jr. Blues would get on the board first at 2:20 with a powerplay goal from Jon Gaffney. But the Thunder's Danny Wood would respond at 10:26 of the opening frame. The period would end in a 1-1 tie.
In the second the Thunder would take the lead. Matt Sempeck in his first game back from a wrist injury would make it 2-1 at 7:31 assisted by Anthony Brown and Ian Braun. But at 10:35 Justin Hochsprung would respond short handed assisted by Brain Prost to tie the game at 2. Albert Lea would then strike again, Nikita Feoktistov would score at the 17:44 mark of the period assited by Niko Kapetanovic and Ryan Johnson to give the Thunder a 3-2 lead.
But the Jr. Blues would answer back at 19:15 when Jon Gaffney would score his second of the night on the powerplay assisted by Randy Cure. The second period would end in a 3-3 tie.
Both teams played very evenly in the third until Jon Gaffney would get his hat trick scoring on the powerplay at the 16:25 mark assisted by Trent Frey and Austin Coldwell. The Thunder played hard to tie it up late but in the end fell just short as Springfield would take the weekend opener 4-3.
Tom Lescovich played well between the pipes for Albert Lea. The Jr. Blues put 54 shots on him to the Thunders 24.
On Saturday The Jr. Blues got off and running right away. Two powerplay goals in the first period from Kyle Verbeek and Jon Gaffney would give Springfield a 2-0 lead going into the first intermission but in the second Nikita Feoktistov would score late in the frame sending the Thunder to the dressing room only one goal down.
But in the third it was all Springfield. The Jr. Blues would rattle off 3 unanswered goals in a matter of just less than 6 minutes and would skate on to the 6-1 victory.
Again a Thunder net minder would be peppered with shots as Mat Rabin faced 49 shots in the game to the Thunders 29.
Albert Lea would return home to the City Arena on Sunday to take on rival North Iowa for the final time the Outlaws would come to Albert Lea this season.
Brandon Brodhag would light the lamp first with a goal from Jon Crouse and Ryan Peltoma and the border battle was on! Niko Kapetanovic would answer back at 14:10 assisted by Nikita Feoktistov and Ryan Johnson and then Zach Lewis from BJ McClellan at 15:13 would give the Thunder the lead. Albert Lea would take that lead into the dressing room after one period and would never give it back.
They would however add to that lead when Dusan Kobela would score on the powerplay just 1:11 into the second assited by Josh Botimer and Niko Kapetanovic to make it 3-1 and then at 17:10 of the second Niko Kapetanovic would score assisted by Nikita Feoktistov making it 4-1 Thunder.
No scoring in the third period would give Albert Lea the 4-1 victory.
Again, Tom Lescovich was huge. His 54 saves were instrumental in the Thunder win.
This next weekend the Thunder will head to Bismarck as they invade the VFW All Seasons arena Friday and Saturday the 13th and 14th.
The Thunder return home for the final 2 home games of the season March 20th and 21st as the Bobcats come to town. Game time is 7:00pm both nights. Be sure to bring your skates on March 21st for Skate with the Thunder following the game.
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North American Hockey League Stories from March 10, 2009
- Phantoms Open Online Pre-Auction of Special Edition Jerseys - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Weekend Recap - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Rangers Hosting Blizzard - Marquette Rangers
- Outlaws Take Two of Three over Weekend - North Iowa Outlaws
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