The Springfield Jr Blues and the New Owners

Well, I suppose I was like most other long-time Jr. Blues fans when I heard about the sale of “our team”, change is difficult! I didn’t know what to expect from the new owners, specifically Dan Ferguson, that California interloper, coming out to the Midwest to buy “our team”. Was it to be out from under us? Would he move the team back to California? Just exactly what did he have up his sleeve? Was this a conspiracy to move the long running consecutive franchise out of Springfield? Wow! Questions flew a mile a minute. Rumors were rampant, and none of them were upbeat either.

“That’s it!” I thought. If the Jr. Blues are gone, so am I! I wasn’t going to broadcast another game. I wasn’t even going to follow the team anymore…but wait a minute. Some semblance of common sense kicked in for just a minute, and I thought, “wait, I haven’t even talked to them yet. Maybe they’re not as bad as the imagination makes them out to be.” Hold the Presses! Yesterday, and today Barb and I had the opportunity to talk, at length, to Dan and Tony (Zasowski, new coach) and they are not Ogers after all. In fact I liked what I heard from both guys. Tony will bring a new style of hockey and new faces to the Nellie in persuit of the Robertson Cup, and Dan is willing to listen to anything that will help make the Jr. Blues and him successful. I like what I’ve heard, and I think good things are in store for the team, the fans and the entire Central Illinois area.

And, on top of everything else…”our Coach”…well up to time of the Finalization of the sale anyway, Joe Dibble has been hired by the Janesville Jets! While it was difficult to hang on to the old saying, “When one door closes, God will open another”, during the dark hours and days of uncertainty, I am happy to say without any reservation whatsoever, there are good times ahead for the Springfield Jr. Blues, our new owners, and for Joe. Everyone has appeared to land upright and ready to build toward a very positive future. I like what I’ve heard, and what I’ve seen so far. It points toward new friendships, and great working relationships, so…Let’s Go Blues!

Now, a side note. We need your help! We’ve lost some Billets for next year, and we need about three or four families to step up and open their homes and their hearts to some fine young men who will be coming in to be the next edition of the Jr. Blues. If you would like to become a host family for one, two, or more of the guys call the Jr. Blues office at (217)525-2589. We’ll do everything we can to make it an enjoyable, rewarding experience.

Finally, why don’t you come out to Lincoln Park May 19th for Jamboree in the Park from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. It’s the annual Springfield Park District Jamboree, and you might just get a chance to meet and greet the new coaches of the Springfield Jr. Blues!

Bandits Beat the Blues, Take Midwest Division Championship

Dateline: Springfield, Illinois
28 April 2012
Midwest Division Playoffs
Springfield Jr. Blues vs. St. Louis Bandits

Cinderella has her back against the wall. It’s crunch time for the Blue and Gold and we’ll be ecstatic to get on a bus tomorrow morning for the deciding game in Chesterfield if the Jr. Blues can take this game tonight. Everyone on the team knows exactly what needs to be done. It’s win or go home, period. A win means the season continues for at least one more game, a loss means the end of the season and the last time we’ll see many of these players ever again. So, I hope you cheer, and make noise while the game is played and I hope the guys in Blues uniforms catch fire and stick it to our bitterest rivals. We can only hope that each team gives their best effort and the on-ice officials don’t determine the outcome of the game. It’s the Division finals for crying out loud. Let’s Go Blues! Win or lose, tonight is the biggest game thus far in Springfield Jr. Blues history, with a win tonight, tomorrow’s game will be even bigger. You can count on both teams bringing their best efforts, and this year’s edition of the Jr. Blues can stay with these dreaded Bandits from the first puck drop to the final horn.
Big Mike Williams did in fact break his nose last night. We went to get it checked this morning and the X-Rays confirmed the fact. Most of his swelling though was from allergies so he got something for that and was told to contact the ENT doctor Monday. It hasn’t slowed him down any, but he will be wearing a cage in tonight’s game. Like a true hockey player, Mike came back to play last night after the injury, and no one in the stands knew he was playing with a broken nose.
Minnesota was getting rain this morning so a check with Tim and Lori Kohn found them on the road to Springfield for our game. They are Cody Kohn’s parents and make the long drive as often as they possibly can from New Ulm, Minnesota. We’ve gotten close with many of the parents and appreciate their sacrifices so we can enjoy their sons as they play hockey for the Jr. Blues. So to all the parents of our “Good Guys” – thank you so very much! You can be proud of your (and ours, as we adopt them during the season) kids for the job they do on the ice in Springfield.
It’s good to see, also, the Johnsons (J.J.), the Walters (Kevin), Mr. Kramer (Scooter), along with the Cooks (Cookie Monster) and Libby Bell (Stew) I hope I didn’t miss anyone that’s in house tonight. Parents, Billets and long-time fans are ready to cheer the home team to victory tonight, so once again, Let’s Go Blues! We need a win tonight, and tomorrow. Cinderella just ain’t dead yet! The Blues can do it, and I think they will too!! By the way, Stew Bell is celebrating his birthday tonight as well.
Each team played solid defense throughout the fast-paced first period. The Jr. Blues scored first at11:01 on a goal by Chris Sitler with assists by Kyle Cook and Josef Pontasch. The crowd went wild and the Bandit buckets were silent. The Bandits scored to tie the game just over three minutes later. Ryan Zehnder scored with help from Garrett Petersen at 14:19. Stew Bell celebrated his birthday during the first period by dropping the gloves with Charlie Hemstrom of the Bandits, and from our vantage point in the press box there was little doubt that Bell won this one. Bandit coach, Jeff Brown, was not happy with his player.
The Blues were in big trouble as they headed for the locker room and the second intermission. Dichiara scored at 3:18 to give the Bandits the lead at 2 – 1. Cookie scored at 11:55 with assists by Sitler and Pontasch to tie the score, but the Bandits scored again at 13:23 and just before the end of the stanza to take a 4 – 2 lead to the locker room. Once again the Blues have twice as many penalties as the Bandits. I made a prediction that it was gonna get ugly in the third period. Bandits fans, masquerading at Topeka fans were banging their buckets and blowing their horns when one of them went too far and blew a horn in another fans face. It looked for a minute as if they might come to blows, but the police responded and kept the scene under control.
The Blues came out and scored early to get back within a goal, and both teams fought hard throughout the rest third period. The Bandits kept their one goal lead until Joe Kalisz put the puck into an empty net. Final score was 5 – 3. Congratulations to the Bandits organization, we wish them luck as they play for the Robertson cup next week.
Congratulations to all the Jr. Blues who have brought so much joy to Springfield hockey fans. As many of “our” players age out and move on the next phase of their lives, we wish them well.
This brings one era of Jr. Blues hockey to an end as there will be an announcement Monday that the team has been sold to new owners, and a new era begins almost immediately. The King is dead, long live the King, or put another way, the Springfield Jr. Blues are dead, long live the Springfield Jr. Blues. The team will be back next year for the 20th season in Springfield. There will be changes to the organization, but the team will play before their long-time fans at the Franklin P. Nelson Center, better known as the “Nellie”. So, come back next year. We’ll kick off the new season with a lot of new faces, from the top down. It’s been a fun run, but the days are bright ahead. Sometimes things must change to get better, and that’s our hope for the team, the owners, management and all who love the game of hockey.

Bandits take 2 – 1 lead in Division Finals

The underdog Springfield Jr. Blues are still alive in the Midwest Division Finals playoffs, and you might say Cinderella is alive and well. Of course we’ll know more after tonight’s game, but the upstart Jr. Blues have not been a door mat for the Bandits this year as they have in years past. After taking an 8 – 1 shellacking in Chesterfield last Friday night, the team rose to the occasion and showed tremendous character in their 1 – 0 shutout victory on Saturday night to even the series coming back the “Nellie”. The Blues could eliminate the Bandits with two wins at home this weekend, and wouldn’t that be sweet? If they play their game and bring a strong defensive effort, well, it could just happen. Blues fans will have their fingers crossed, and let’s just hope the crowds are worthy of the team and pack this rink both nights.
Speaking of defense, Sports Reporter, Dave Kane, of the Springfield Journal-Register wrote an excellent article in this morning’s edition featuring Cody Kohn. The Blues defenseman has been a steadying factor for the team all year long and a big time leader on the Blue Line. In fact he has probably been the most consistent player on the team the past two years, and yet he has gotten few looks from colleges just because he doesn’t score much. I’m here to tell any college scouts that may see this that this young man would be a tremendous asset to any college program, at any level. In addition to that, Cody is one of the nicest young men you will ever meet. We’re looking for another super game and tremendous effort from him against the Bandits this weekend.
Another “Mr. Friendly” member of the Blues is our “Czek-Mix Kid”, Radim Matus. No matter where he is, on the ice or in street clothes, this kid always has a smile on his face. If he spots you during warm ups he may just give you that big grin, nod his head once and give you that knowing wink. While he hasn’t been with us all year, he has been an impact player for this team. Rumor has it that he probably won’t be back next year, either playing Jr. Hockey in Canada, or turning pro in his home land of the Czek Republic. He’s a super kid, and he will be successful wherever he plays next year. I, for one, just wish he would come back to the Jr. Blues.
A lot of the guys on the Jr. Blues will age out this year, and they will certainly be missed. This has been a great group of guys, and their work ethic has paid off. They have faced a lot of adversity, but held together and worked through all the negatives. I truly believe it has made this team stronger and they have gone deeper in the playoffs because of their resolve. Add to the mix the great job done by the coaches and Jr. Blues fans can and should be proud of this year’s edition of the Springfield Jr. Blues. No matter how these guys finish up, they will have been one of the best teams to ever wear the Blue and Gold.
But we are not done yet! This team wants to go to Frisco, Texas and bring the “Robbie” back to Springfield. The odds makers say we won’t beat the Bandits, but I would hate to bet against our guys. As long as they play like they are capable, anything is possible, including bringing the big trophy back. So…Let’s Go Blues.
A fast and furious first period with zeroes on the score board tell the whole story of the first twenty minutes. Outshot 14 -7 (shots on goal) by the Bandits, the Blues defense did a fine job keeping the puck out of the net. The Blues had a couple of super chances to score, but just couldn’t put the puck past the Bandit Goalie. After watching the chances to score in the first this could turn into a high scoring contest by the end of this game. A lot of the Bandit’s shots come from the neutral zone and are easily handled by Antoni.
Period two was more of a well-played hockey contest between two well matched teams. It was scoreless until the Bandits drew first blood at 13:58 of the period as their power play ended. They scored again at 16:42 on another power play to make it 2 – 0. It looked bad for the Jr. Blues, but these guys just won’t quit. Kyle Cook took a pass from Chris Sitler, took the puck behind the goal and hit Josef Pontasch coming down the middle in front of the goal. Ponce slammed it home to cut the Bandit lead in half at 19:24, or just 36 seconds left in the period. At the second intermission the Bandits led 2 – 1.
Bandits scored their third goal early in the third period to make it 3 – 1. The Blues had a no goal call for what reason I don’t know, the referee called the net off its pins, but Channel 20’s video showed it was still on the pegs after the whistle blew. With just 16 seconds left in the game Kevin Walters scored on an assist by Chris Sitler. Final score 3 – 2, and the Blues must win tomorrow or they will just go home instead of Texas.
So, get out to the Nellie and cheer these guys on, they need your support, and draft beer will be just a dollar. If you can’t join us, follow along on FASTHockey. Game time is 7:00 pm.

Jr Blues even Midwest Division Series on Gabe Antoni’s Shutout!

Today we’ll find out about the character of the Jr. Blues. Are they the team we thought they could be all year and last night was an anomaly, or have they played above their ability since the first of the year. I really do hope it’s the former and not the latter. Hopefully we’ll see a complete turn around from last night’s fiasco. Either way, I write and broadcast what I see, take it or leave it. Win, lose or draw, I love this team and the guys that make up the roster. They’ve played through a lot of adversity this season and have come a long way from where they began. One thing you can count on, I call them the way I see ‘em. Last night was the worst effort I’ve seen as a team this year, and I pulled the plug in the third period. I had nothing else to say. If they turn it around and play as I know they can I’ll be on their bandwagon, but if they play downright poorly again I WILL say so, like it or not.
The Bandits are the toughest team the Blues have played all year, but they aren’t as great as they played last night. It isn’t the first time one team played poorly one night and came back strong the next game. Let’s Go Blues!
The Blues came out strong to start the game this afternoon, and they played well throughout the first period. The defense was back and played tough through the first twenty minutes. The penalty kill squad worked well in the first to kill two penalties by the Bandits. At the end of one period neither team was able to put a puck in net and it was 0 – 0.
Garret Williams elevated the puck from Dixon and Mike Williams right over the right shoulder of the Bandit goalie and the Blues had the lead at 2:59 of the second period. Gabe Antoni was phenomenal between the pipes during period two as he brought his AAA game today without a doubt. The Blues played the best second period against the Bandits in a while. Even though the Bandits have a 29 – 10 shots on goal advantage, the Blues had the lead where it counts through two 1 – 0.
It was one of the most exciting third periods as the Blues fought to keep their one goal lead. They fought all the way to the end and took the victory 1 – 0. Antoni had another shutout!
Join us at the Nellie next Friday and Saturday for games three and four of the Midwest Division finals. Game time is 7:00 pm both nights.

Jr Blues vs. Bandits

Last night’s game was a big disappointment. Anything and everything that could go wrong went wrong for the Jr. Blues. Parents, Billets and fans deserved better, but it was one of those nights.
To the fans, families of the players and everyone who calls the Springfield Jr. Blues “my team”, you deserved better. In saying that I start with me, no one loves this team more than me. No one represents the team to you more than I do. The comments on face book, etc. hit the mark completely. I was wrong, I let my disappointment get the upper hand. To all who love this team as much as I do, I apologize. You deserve much better and so much more from you announcer. I was unprofessional.
I hope we, especially me, can move on to higher ground from here on out during this round of playoffs. The organization, families, fans and friends certainly deserve better than last night’s debacle. I, for one, promise to return to the level I’ve presented to you all year.
Mike Hickey

Jr Blues win first round of the NAHL Playoffs in Janesville

Today is the “do or die” day for both the Jets and the Jr. Blues. This is game five in the best of five first round playoff series. The two teams have played each other more times in the last month than any other two teams in the NAHL, and it all comes down to today’s game. The winner moves on to round two and will play the St. Louis Bandits in the second round, aka the Division Finals. The loser of today’s game comes to an end of their season. I can guarantee another barn burner, a tough, fast paced game with hard hitting and “race horse” hockey. The goalie that is more focused and gets the most help from his defense will come out the winner and his team will move on to the next round.
This could be the final game of the Springfield Jr. Blues as we’ve known them for nineteen years. New owners will take over with a new Springfield franchise and operation when this edition is finished with the playoffs. Rumors have circulated like crazy, but this team has determined to stand tall in the face of adversity. If they win this afternoon they will take on the Bandits in the first year in my time with the Blues that they haven’t been a door mat to the Chesterfield, Missouri team.
Time will bring the outcome and clarity to the picture of playoffs in the next round. We will have the answers to many questions in a few short hours from the time I write this article. I hope you don’t miss the broadcast if you can’t be in Janesville. This is the biggest game for the Springfield Jr. Blues in a long, long time! And the deeper into the playoffs this team goes, the games take on more and more significance.
The first stanza was a carbon copy of most of the games between these two teams. Up and down the ice they went and each time was warp speed. The Jets outshot the Blues 10 – 5 during period one, but the Blues defense held up to the task and there was no score going into the first intermission. Neither team had a power play opportunity as the first period was penalty free. While the defense played well during the first, the offense needs to step it up. The Blues have had big trouble when they get outshot by a two to one margin.
There were no penalties called in the second period, and while the Jets continue to put more shots on goal than do the Jr. Blues, the score after two complete periods is still 0 – 0. After 40 minutes of play Janesville had 20 shots on goal to the Blues 13. The Blues played a much better second period today than they did last night. This defensive struggle continued to be the highlight of the game through the first two stanzas.
Chris Sitler lit the lamp at 1:02 of the third period on an assist by Kyle Cook. Shortly after that the Janesville Ice Arena’s internet went down and Blues fans were unable to receive FASTHockey to watch the rest of the game. Their modem is outside the rink and apparently got wet from the heavy rain in Southern Wisconsin that was falling at the time. My phone immediately lit up like a Christmas tree with reports that the game was “off the air”. Janesville’s broadcaster, Mike Hammit worked feverishly for the entire rest of the game but was unable to get the internet up and running again.
What Jr. Blues fans missed was one of the most spectacular and efficient displays of defense I’ve ever watched this team produce. The broadcast went down around the 16:51 point of the period countdown, but from Sitler’s goal on the Blues put the clamps on the Jets, and about the only noise you heard in the rink came from the visitor’s fans. I was texting as fast as I could to update all who texted me, and I hope everyone got the information about this stunning victory. If not then you have a couple of different options, all of which are on the internet. The Official Jr. Blues website has the game summary on it, this entire article is on the blog and the State Journal-Register has their postgame article posted on their web site: http://www.sj-r.com.
Next week the Jr. Blues head to Chesterfield, Missouri for round two of the NAHL Playoffs, or the Divisional Championship. Friday night’s game will start at 7:00 pm at the Hardee’s IcePlex, followed by a 2:00 pm game Saturday afternoon. Let’s get more Blues fans to the rink and outnumber the Bandits again.
Gabe Antoni, Jr Blues Goalie was named first star of the game as the Blue and Gold shut out the Jets for the fourth time in the ten game span which included the last five games of the regular season and the five game playoff series.

Jr Blues head back to Janesville

The Springfield Jr. Blues have an opportunity to do something tonight they haven’t done in three or four years, win the first round of the NAHL playoffs. Not since the year North Iowa clinched the division at the Nellie and then lost to the Blues in the first round have the Blues made it beyond round number one. I, for one, do not want to get up in the morning and get on a bus and head up to Janesville, Wisconsin for a deciding fifth game, especially with game time at 5:00 pm. To a man the Jr. Blues have stated on various Facebook entries that they don’t want to get on that bus either. So, let’s “Git’r Done” tonight!
The Blues played an excellent game last night. Gabe Antoni was absolutely superb between the pipes. The defense was tenacious and kept the Jets at bay all evening. Special teams operated efficiently with the Blues going 2 for 5 on the Power Play, and the Penalty Kill working all but Janesville’s last Power play to perfection. With a plethora of penalties during Period three, the Blues were less than two minutes from helping Gabe Antoni get his playoff shutout in goal. A six on four Jets advantage gave the Jets their only goal. The time of their first and only score came with only 1:43 left in the game.
This is the “Nitty-Gritty” of the first round. For Janesville it’s win or say good bye to the season. For the Blues it’s win and keep going to keep this storied franchise alive. When and if the Blues are eliminated, it will mean an end to the Springfield Jr. Blues as we know them. At season’s end it looks to be almost a certainty that the sale to the San Jose, California group will be finalized and they will own a “new” Springfield franchise. A myriad of questions abound that can only be answered in time, but it will mean a new day for Springfield Jr. hockey. In the meantime the Jr. Blues continue their run in the playoffs. What can we say to that except: “Let’s Go Blues!”
I got a chance to see a different side of one of my grandsons last night during the home jersey auction. Cody Dixon’s Jersey came up for bid and I turned around to look at Cody out on the ice and there was my eight year old grandson with #23 hanging off him (many sizes too large) doing the moon walk and urging someone to bid on Dixon’s jersey. Everyone got a big kick out of his antics (including his proud Gramma and Grampa). We weren’t too sure about how much his Mom appreciated the eight year old wearing a game worn, sweat soaked jersey, but we all had a fun time. After tonight’s game I will be auctioneering the sale of the “Away” Jerseys, and who knows what that will bring from our grandsons! Like the Jr. Blues, they certainly brighten up our lives! (And bring lots of smiles to our faces as well!)
Just like last night’s Blues – Jets game, both teams were up and down the ice like the devil was chasing each player. You’ve heard me on FASTHockey call it “Racehorse Hockey”, but I think they’ve stepped it up even more quickly tonight. The Blues were able to dodge another two man disadvantage when penalties were dished out much to the chagrin of Blues’ Head Coach Joe Dibble. With all the speed and quickness the teams played to a 0 – 0 tie after the first twenty minutes. You could feel the tension mount as the first period counted down and I thought we might have a line brawl when Tyler Rehm put a huge hit on one of the Jets and knocked him through the gate on the far side of the rink.
The Blues looked just a bit off in Period two, as the puck handling was better for Janesville. The Jets scored from the point at the 9:23 mark of the period on a goal by Childs. Cecere and Frank assisted on the goal to give the Jets the 1 – 0 lead. The Blues again spent too much time in the penalty box. Through two periods the Blues have been whistled for twice as many penalties as the Jets, but neither team was able to connect on power play opportunies.
Childs scored again in the third and single handedly put the hurt on the Blues. Ethan Nauman scored but it wasn’t enough and we head back to Janesville for the final tomorrow. Congratulations to the Jets. We’ll meet them on their home ice tomorrow at 5:00 pm. Tomorrow’s winner will meet St. Louis next weekend in round two. I’ll be on FASTHockey to bring you the game from the Janesville Ice Arena.