Jr. Blues

Jr Blues Bounce Back on Saturday Night!

jrblues — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:50:19 +0000

After playing a game without much demonstrated energy or desire, the Jr. Blues take the ice against Coulee Region tonight at the Omni Center in Onalaska, Wisconsin. They couldn’t blame last night’s fiasco on a long bus ride, but the Jr. Blues just didn’t have their “A” game. In fact they didn’t have much game at all against the fired up Chill. The Blues need to win tonight’s game to just maintain that 3 point lead over the fourth place Chill. In all sports though there are those games when you could have saved your energy and just stayed at home. I truly expect we’ll see a very active and positive Blue and Gold team tonight. They all knew they didn’t play well, and I think, from what I’ve seen today, every one of the guys have buckled down with determination to make a better showing on the ice tonight.
After tonight’s game Coach Dibble, Gavin Tufte, Cody Kohn, and Josef Pontasch travel up to Minneapolis and fly out tomorrow morning for the Prospects Tournament in Michigan. The three guys will be back in time to get on the bus next Thursday (if they don’t just stay in Michigan) for next weekend’s series against the Michigan Warriors. It will be a long and tough week for the coach and the guys. And don’t anyone forget we have a record to keep intact against Michigan…After some very succinct investigative reporting I am proud to report the guys headed to the Prospects Tournament won’t have to travel home to Springfield after the tournament to turn around and head back to Michigan on the bus. They will meet us in Flint when we arrive on the bus.
This has been an interesting season to say the least. The ups and downs, mood swings, and everything else we’ve had to deal with has proven to never have a dull moment. Yet, this team to a man has been resilient. They have dealt with more adversity than most teams and still keep that positive attitude and a fire in their gut for the game. Sometimes they have an off game and that was the case last night. You never want to give up on this edition of the Springfield Jr. Blues. They will never, ever give up and quit. They will do their absolute best until the final horn sounds, and when it does they will congratulate their opponents and keep their heads high. They’ve been at the game of hockey long enough that they know some efforts will fall short, but some nights they will get lucky. They are fine young men who will one day, step into leadership roles at the highest levels. As Jr. Blues fans, let’s get behind them as the playoffs approach and cheer them on, whether at the Nellie or watching them play on FASTHockey.
Okay, I’ve complained, preached and growled enough, it’s warm ups first, then the game. I haven’t said in my articles for a while, but hey, Let’s Go Blues!
The first period started with Stew Bell dropping the gloves with Micah Ranum of the Chill. I don’t know if Bell even threw a punch as he went down to the ice immediately. Both players spent five minutes in the penalty box. The pace of the game was much faster throughout the period as the Blues played with more energy and more aggressively in the period. The Chill took a 1 – 0 lead at 10:19 on a goal by Tyler Klein, but Kyle Cook took a pass from Josef Pontach and put the puck past the Chill Goalie to tie the score at the 13:20 mark of the period. The Blues play is “night and day” different from last night and they are pushing the puck up the ice with speed that wasn’t with them last night. The Blues outshot the Chill 18 to 9 during the first period.
The second period was all Jr. Blues as Chris Sitler scored to start the action at the 7:55 mark. Cookie was credited with the assist to Sitler. Brett Skibba then scored at 10:36 unassisted. That was not enough for the Blue and Gold as Radim Matus continued the scoring at 14:29 when he took a pass from Ben Kramer and fired the puck into the back of the net to make the score 4 – 1. Skibba scored again at 17:44 with assists from Kevin Walters and Stew Bell. Tyler Rehm dropped the gloves with Eric Swahn, and Swahn went down with a very bloody nose. After two periods the Blues led after scoring five unanswered goals to make it 5 – 1 over the Chill.
Third period was all Blues again. Ben Kramer took a pass from Kevin Walters and tickled the twine at the back of the net to make the score 6 – 1 at 4:18 of the third. Kyle Cook took a pass from Brett “the Rifle” Skibba at 13:57 and scored the Blues seventh unanswered goal. That ended the scoring and the final score was 7 – 1 Jr. Blues again just two games under .500 and back to five points ahead of the Chill.

Jr Blues drop a Tough one to Coulee Region

jrblues — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 03:32:17 +0000

Tonight’s game finds the Jr. Blues against the Chill in a contest that will either cement the Blues hold on third place in the Midwest Division or tighten up the fight for third. Coulee Region is just five points behind Springfield in the fourth and final spot for a playoff position. For those fairly new to Junior Hockey and the North American Hockey League, the top four positions in each division are eligible for the post-season playoffs. The first place team plays the fourth place team and the second place team plays the third place team. It really isn’t as complicated as it might seem at first, but it is a situation that has worked throughout the history of the NAHL. As it stands now, were the season to end today, Janesville would play Coulee Region and Springfield would play St. Louis. The Blue and Gold have played well of late and look to have a decent chance to advance this year. The team is just two games under the .500 mark and if things go well this weekend could find themselves with a level record for the first time this year.
We have an injury update for the Jr. Blues as only 22 players made the trip north this weekend. Jordan Johnson reinjured his back, and Tyler Parks had emergency appendectomy earlier in the week. Both players are expected to be healthy for the playoffs and make a huge contribution to the team.
We thought the trip up from Springfield to the La Crosse suburb of Onalaska was an eight hour trip, but we arrived just six hours after we left the Capitol City. Of course there were no stops for food or drink, but that was made up for at supper time. Old Country Buffet was our destination in La Crosse and the guys ate heartily…so did I! The food was excellent for a buffet and we had a good time. The veteran players have an initiation ritual to play on the rookies called “shoe check”. If, when checked, the rookie has food on his shoe he has to get up in front of the whole team and sing a song. It’s all in good fun and everyone gets a laugh out of it, even the rookies. Paul Byrne was the recipient again and he was great sport. He stood on a chair and entertained the entire restaurant with his song. I found the song just a little bit familiar (the chorus anyway), but all the guys and coaches knew the words. The good times like that are important to everyone on the road trips. It keeps everyone loose and ready to go come game time. Besides, it’s good to laugh with one another because it builds the all-important “team” concept so necessary in sport.
Next week we get on the bus again and I know the trip to Flint, Michigan is longer than this trip, but we’ll be ready. Following the Michigan, it’s back to Chicago for three more games with the Hitmen. After that it’s another road trip, this time to Kalamazoo, Michigan, but that won’t be much worse than a trip to the windy city. The Kalamazoo series will be played on Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 2:00 pm both days. Janesville comes to town for a three game series March 16, 17, and 18. The next week is a two game home series against St. Louis and then we wrap up the regular season playing two road games in Janesville. I have to ask it. Where has this season gone? It seems the guys just came into town for the season just a short time ago. They say time seems to go by much more quickly as we age, but I’m almost at warp speed for crying out loud!
Coulee Region came out with a lot of momentum as they wore special jerseys, raising money for area fire-fighting equipment. The Blues on the other hand were a bit sluggish and their play was ragged for the first twelve minutes of the game. By the time they got untracked they found themselves looking up at a two goal deficit. Radim Matus brought the Blues back to within one at the 14:30 mark on a great pass by Ethan Nauman. Gavin Tufte also assisted on the play. At the end of the first period the Blues trailed Coulee Region by one, the score being 2 – 1. The shots on goal during the first went in the favor of the Chill, 18 to the Blues 14. I know I saw a Blues shot, in the Blues offensive zone added to the Chill’s total.
The second period score changed in a hurry as the Chill scored at forty nine seconds into the period to make it 3 – 1. Kyle Cook brought the Blues back within one at 14:03, but the Chill lead went back to a two goal lead at 16:07. Two fights (with a split decision) carried through the period, and Kevin Walters picked up his second penalty. Josef Pontasch and Cody Kohn picked up assists on Cookie’s goal. The Blues just haven’t performed well on defense tonight and look flustered on the ice at times. Coulee Region have outplayed the Blues through two periods.
Third period was much the same as the Blues had trouble controlling the puck or generating any kind of offense. They just looked like they weren’t totally in sinc. Give credit to the Chill, they came to play tonight, and outplayed the Blues from the outset. Final score Chill 5, Jr. Blues 3.
The same two teams square off at 7:00 pm tomorrow (Saturday) night, and the game will be on the FASTHockey network.

Jr Blues at Coulee Region

jrblues — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:04:09 +0000

Jr. Blues are at Coulee Region for two games Friday and Saturday nights. Your Blogster will broadcast both games on FASTHockey beginning at 7:00 pm each night. The season is winding down and the Blue and Gold can go a long way toward cementing third place in the Midwest Division with a sweep. Tune in and follow the game live!

Blues Drop a Tough One to Topeka

jrblues — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:43:00 +0000

A sweet win last night against an old rival always feels good. The only problem is you can’t dwell on sweet victories too long in the North American Hockey League. Tonight is time again to buckle down and try to grind out another victory against one of the toughest teams in the league.
A bit of a downer last night, and a minor one at that, Radim Matus was given credit for a goal in period three that should have gone to Gavin Tufte. Had Tufte been given credit for the goal it would have meant a hat trick for the young man from Blaine, Minnesota. Gavin is in his last year of junior hockey and doesn’t have a college offer nailed down yet. All of the goals are important, but they are even more important in his case. This young man is a class act and some university will be lucky to get him.
Another tough outing is on tap tonight as the Jr. Blues take on the Topeka Roadrunners for the last time during the regular season. Scott Langer’s crew doesn’t lose very often, and it is always difficult to handle them two times out. The Blues on the other hand come into tonight’s game 7-1-1 in their last nine games. They have proven that they can score in bunches and play solid defense at the same time during this stretch. I don’t think it’s too much to ask to make that string 8-1-1. How sweet would that be?
Can you believe that after tonight there are only sixteen games left in this regular season? With all the struggles and injuries that have plagued this team this year, I’m not near ready for the playoffs to begin so soon. At least the Blue and Gold have turned things around and are giving the loyal fans what they need, and that is good hockey and victories to back it up. Also, look at the number of players on this year’s team that will end their junior hockey careers when this season comes to an end. I already named Gavin Tufte, but there is Mike Williams, Ethan Nauman, Stew Bell, and many more. What makes it so difficult is how these young men have so become part of our family, and we won’t see the majority of these guys again. We shed some tears when they leave us, but the fond memories last a lifetime. Facebook pointed out today that one of the first players we housed will turn 23 this week, and I can still visualize the time he got tickled with a mouth full of food at the dinner table and before we could do anything we had food sprayed all over the table. That made us laugh hard enough to almost lose our food the same way! Or a year ago last August when we made a surprise visit to Brentwood, Tennessee to visit one of our former “house-ees” and when his Mother realized who was coming up their driveway, came flying out to greet us like long lost kin folks. Ah yes, there is so much more, being affiliated with the Springfield Jr. Blues than just providing room and board for our players. The players come and go, but the memories stay with us for a life time. The memories make those tough losses and game disappointments just a bit easier to digest.
. The first period was played all out by both teams with Topeka playing their version of smash mouth hockey. Dupel scored at the 1:09 mark with an assist from White and the Roadrunners grabbed the lead they would take into the first intermission. There were twelve penalties called during the first period and Chris Bond was ejected from the game. Neither team was able to convert on the power plays. Play was physical from the start tonight as the penalties attest, but no players were injured, fortunately. After the first period the score is 1 – 0 Topeka.
The second period was all Topeka as the scored three times to take command of the game. The penalties continued to be called one after another. Through two periods twenty-three penalties were assessed for a total of sixty-five minutes. There was little continuity in play because of all the whistles. At the second intermission it was all Roadrunners who led the Blues by a score of 4 – 0. Traber, the goalie for Topeka brought his “A” game tonight and rejected everything the Blue and Gold threw at him. The crowd enjoyed LeRoy’s chicken dance during the intermission as he moved the net for the Zamboni.
The third period was more of the same with whistle after whistle and penalty after penalty. The only bright spot was a break-away goal by Josef Pontasch at 16:33 of the third. The Blues didn’t play bad, but they just couldn’t get over the hump. Topeka won it 5 – 1.
Though the game didn’t turn out the way we hoped, the live jersey auction was super as some of the jerseys sold for $400. The remaining crowd had a lot of fun and people were extremely generous for the cause of overcoming cancer.
Next week is a two game series at Coulee Region and the Blues now need to win both games to get to .500. We’ll be with you on FASTHockey for the game.

Jr. Blues Trounce Topeka!

jrblues — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:42:08 +0000

Tonight is the night the Blue and Gold can measure their progress toward becoming one of the top teams in the North American Hockey League. The always tough Topeka Roadrunners are in town for a two game series that will give the Blues an idea of just how playoff ready they are becoming. The last meeting between these two teams in Topeka, Kansas meant two losses for our guys, but injuries were taking a toll on the ability to match up and the Topeka Goalie was at his very best. Since the series at the end of December the Blues have made some changes that have improved the team. Gabe Antoni was obtained in a trade with Dubuque of the USHL and has probably made the biggest impact for the team. Since his arrival, Antoni has given Tyler Parks the kind of competition that has seen an already good goalie get better and better. Over all the Blues are playing better than they did before the start of the new-year, and tonight and tomorrow night will be a good measuring stick of just how much improved this Springfield team really is.
Tonight is also Arch Ecker’s 900th broadcast. Arch is the broadcaster for Topeka and has reached this awesome milestone. He travels with the team, as I travel with the Jr. Blues, but I don’t have any idea how many games I’ve called for the Blue and Gold. It isn’t even in the ball park though in comparison with Arch’s accomplishment. Congratulations to the big guy across the way who broadcasts from the bleachers. If we had a working phone line around the area of the press box he would be on radio and FASTHockey.
This weekend is the Jr. Blues tribute to Breast Cancer Awareness and they will be wearing pink trimmed jerseys and pink trimmed stockings for the series. While it isn’t the month that is usually recognized as the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and as a cancer survivor myself, it is always good to be reminded that the fight is still going on.
Every now and then we get a chance to “pay it forward” for all the good things people have done for us, so tonight a young man named Tyler Cobb is in the press box with me. I will mentor Tyler and do my part to help him achieve his dream of sports reporting. Any time you get a chance give him your condolences for having to work with me, even if it is his choice…
The Blues came out for warm ups and the Jerseys are really a standout. White Jerseys trimmed with pink stripes with white socks trimmed with pink and blue stripes. They are spectacular in my opinion, and will be auctioned live after the Saturday night game. If you would like to bid but can’t be here at the Nellie, call Heather Dhom at 217-415-7854 with your maximum bid and we’ll try and get you one of the jerseys. It’s too bad we can’t broadcast the auction. It is always an exciting event.
The Blues took the first faceoff and it was back and forth until the 16:32 mark when Josef Pontasch pushed the puck past the Topeka Goalie for the score with a little help from Kyle Cook and Cody Dixon. The Power Play goal put the Blues up 1 – 0. The defense played well during period one as we have come to expect, and the Guys finally got a goal on Traber, Topeka’s fine Goalie.
The second period was the reason they play the game. The Roadrunners scored to tie the game at 9:10 of the second, and then scored again to take a 2 – 1 lead at 16:25. Less than a minute later Gavin Tufte took a pass from Radim Matus and slammed the puck past Traber to tie the score. The second period ended with the score tied and the third period eagerly anticipated. I’ve noticed, especially during last Sunday’s game that the Blues will grind it out to the very end, no matter the score. Tonight they continued to play tough hard nose hockey, and gave Topeka all they wanted.
The third period was all Jr. Blues as Radim Matus started the scoring at the 11:11 mark. He was assisted by Gavin Tufte and Ethan Nauman. Just under three minutes later Kevin Walters shot from the near side point past Traber to make it 4 – 2. Matus and Nauman assisted. Gavin Tufte scored on an empty net at 18:49 to round out the scoring. The final score was 5 – 2 Springfield Jr. Blues were victorious.
The same two teams square off at 7:00 pm tomorrow night. If you can’t make it out to the rink tune in the FASTHockey network for the game. The Blues win number 20 tonight against their nemesis, Topeka Roadrunners.

Springfield Jr. Blues coach’s show for the week of 2/6/12

jrblues — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:07:39 +0000

Real Hockey Players Wear Pink!

jrblues — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:03:03 +0000

Yes the Springfield Jr. Blues, our real men on the ice, will wear special Pink Jerseys during Saturday night’s game against the Topeka Roadrunners to emphasize Breast Cancer Awareness. This deadly disease, as nearly everyone knows, is one of the major health issues for women. While progress has been made in the battle, this disease is still a deadly killer of women and men around the world.
Coach Joe Dibble told us that “even though this isn’t Breast Cancer Awareness month people need to be reminded that the fight to end breast cancer is still going on, and we shouldn’t let down our guard against the fight to end it.”
The jerseys will be auctioned after the game Saturday night in a “live auction”, with opening bids starting at $100.00. Anyone wanting to bid on a particular pink jersey, but unable to attend Saturday night’s event can contact Heather Dhom at 217-415-7854. You can also email Heather at heather.dhom@jrblues.com to arrange for a proxy bidder.
The doors open at 6:00 pm both Friday and Saturday nights for the games against Topeka, and the games will start at 7:00 pm. Fans are also reminded that they can purchase their Jr. Blues tickets at the front desk at the Nelson Center any time during the week. By purchasing your tickets early, you will be allowed to go to the head of the ticket line and not have to stand out in the cold waiting to enter the game.

Blues Grind One Out Against Chicago

jrblues — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:30:17 +0000

The look on the Jr. Blues players said it all after last night’s game against the Chicago Hitmen. Anger, frustration, disappointment and aggravation couldn’t have been any more apparent if it had been scribbled in marker across every face that wears Blue and Gold on the ice. They knew they had blown a chance to solidify their position of third place in the Midwest Division standings. They learned that no matter who they play on the ice, no matter where their opponent is in the standings, no matter the wins and losses, they must be ready to play every time they take to the ice. The game was too easy for them on Friday night and they expected Chicago to roll over, lie down and continue to let the Blues score easily and at will. Consequently the team did not take their opponent seriously enough when they came out to play Saturday night. That played right into Chicago’s hand, and it showed from the opening face-off. Chicago Hitmen do not have the level of talent that Springfield has, but on any given night in the North American Hockey League, any team can win. Chicago’s goalie, so bad on Friday night, stepped up to the plate for Saturday’s game and shut out the Jr. Blues. Ryan Coyne came to play last night. While almost everything the Blues threw on goal Friday got past the Hitmen goalies, Saturday night was a completely different story. The Blues found that you have to throw the puck in different parts of the net to get it in, not shoot nearly everything dead center in the goalie’s chest. You must move the puck around, not try to send it through the opposing goalie.
As bitter and disappointing as Saturday’s defeat was, it should be a good lesson, and I think it got the guys attention. It should serve the team well as the playoffs approach. They were quiet and a bit somber when they came down to breakfast this morning. The team looks like they have refocused. They look ready to pick up where they left off Friday night.
The one really bright spot last night was the goalie play of Tyler Parks. He played with a lot of self-confidence and guts between the pipes. While the score ended at 2 – 0 in favor of the Hitmen, Tyler could have just as easily won the game for the Blues with his effort. Only a single goal got past him and most nights that kind of performance means a victory. His team let him down last night, and while the loss was a bitter pill for him, he wasn’t about to place any blame on his fellow team mates. He took the loss personally and deeply, but he didn’t in any way “lose” the game. The kid has talent and panache. He will continue to grow and mature at his position and will be one of the top goalies in the NAHL next year. He is that good now. More experience will just make him that much more confident. He came ready to play and he did a great job last night. The Blues have positioned themselves very well at the net-minder position for a playoff run, and for next season as well.
Game time is fast approaching. Our questions will be answered (I hope) as that first puck is dropped to start the game this afternoon. Will the Blue and Gold be ready today? We will see in just a little while.
On a bit of a somber note the Chicago player that went hard into the corner wall and was helped off the ice either broke his ankle or severely sprained it. He is on crutches today, but as a true hockey player, he is here at the rink to cheer his team mates on.
The Jr. Blues got off to a bit of a shaky start in this afternoon’s game, and Chicago took advantage with a goal at just 1:39 of the game. The Blue and Gold settled down from that and scored three unanswered goals to make the score 3 – 1 at the first intermission.
Stew Bell took a pass from down low and scored in front of the net between the circles. Brett Skibba and Tyler Rehm assisted on Bell’s goal at 5:35. Just over ten minutes later the Blues scored again on Joseph Pontasch’s redirect of a shot by Kevin Walters. Chris Sitler was also credited with an assist on the play. Three minutes later, at 18:57, Sitler gave the Blues a 3 – 1 lead on assists by Joseph Pontasch and Cody Dixon. While the Jr. Blues play was a bit ragged from time to time they controlled the period and their defense has stepped it up today.
I overheard Coach Dibble challenged the team last night and today to do just that, step it up, and they have responded in the first period. They were 1 for 3 on first period power plays, and outshot Chicago 17 – 10.
It was an unbelievable second period. The Hitmen smash Antoni into the pipes and get just a two minute minor penalty. The Blues go into cruise mode and pay the price. They implode as Chicago scores four unanswered goals in the space of two minutes and twelve seconds to take a two goal lead into the second intermission. What can you say except the Blues are very much like the old nursery rhyme about the little girl with the curl in the middle of her fore-head. “When they are good, they are very, very good, but when they’re bad they are horrid. The Blues must regroup in the locker room during the second intermission and figure out a way to respond to an inspired Chicago team that has taken the Blue and Gold to task in the second stanza.
As the second period belonged to Chicago, the third period was all Blues and the team showed plenty of character in the face of adversity. Down 5 – 3 going into the third Chicago continued to dominate until Ethan Nauman scored at 11:34 on assists by Radim Matus and Gavin Tufte. Nauman scored a rebound shot at 16:15 to tie the game at 5 – 5. He was assisted by Ruslan Pedan and Radim Matus. Then Kyle Cook scored at 17:30 on an assist by Mitch Rogge to round out the scoring. The game ended with the Blues clearing the defensive zone with 10 seconds left to win it. The game was a grinder and Pedan dropped the gloves with Annunziato with just over a minute left. Blues win a hard fought battle and take two out of three from Chicago.
Next week Topeka comes into the Nelson Center for two games Friday and Saturday. Come on out and cheer this edition of the Blue and Gold on to victory. Game time both nights is 7:00 pm. If you can’t attend join me on FASTHockey for all the action.

From the Penthouse to the Outhouse in 24 Hours!

jrblues — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:04:00 +0000

From the Penthouse to the Outhouse in 24 Hours!.

Blues Score a Plethora of Goals against Chicago

jrblues — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:41:45 +0000

Another big game is on tap tonight in the brand new (second half of the 2011-2012) season. The Springfield Jr. Blues travelled to Geneva, Illinois today to pay their first visit to play the rough and tumble Chicago Hitmen. The Blues bring their 5-0-1 record and put it on the line for tonight’s game. That record of course is over the last six games which have been the most consistent play by the team all season. We remember the three games played at the Nellie in December that left a few injuries to key players on both teams.
Since the December games the Blues have turned their season around and have begun playing up to their talent level. As well as Chicago has matched up against the Blues this season, tonight’s game will give fans an indication how far the team has come now that everyone is healthy and the roster is set for the remainder of the season.
Tonight’s game is the first of a three game series that wraps up with games tomorrow night and Sunday afternoon. All in all, it’s crucial that the Blues continue their winning ways in preparation for the playoffs. Four points separate third and fourth place, but Coulee Region, who now chases the Blue and Gold for that third place spot in the Midwest Division play Minot this weekend. Minot has the very worst record in the North American Hockey League so the Chill could possibly make up some ground on the Jr. Blues. This is the time of year where the wins become more and more important as the regular season winds down.
We arrived at the rink at approximately 5:00 pm, and much to our surprise (not!) the game was on tonight as scheduled. The rumor mill is like the NASCAR silly season when all kinds of stories appear in articles around the internet about this team folding, another team being sold, and so on ad infinitum. Supposedly, the Hitmen haven’t paid for their ice time this season and the team was going to be locked out of the rink tonight, hence, no games would be played this weekend. Now nobody is going to give away six points in this or any other league so to no one’s surprise, the Blues and the Hitmen played the game as scheduled. And the Hitmen did not go quietly into the night!
The Fox Valley rink is one of the nicest I’ve been to in the NAHL where the Jr. Blues have played. The press box is up near the ceiling so it is warmer than some, and while the score board is a bit screened by speakers and other equipment it is still readable. There is a good unobstructed view of the ice, and that makes the game easy to call. This rink was built around 1996 so of course it is nicer than a lot of the barns we play in. All in all it is a great place to play hockey.
With an active youth hockey program in Geneva, the warm up for both teams was pushed back until 7:50 to 8:10 pm with the start pushed back from 7:55 to 8:20 pm. Why this was done apparently stems from all the rumors floating around regarding ice time charges for the Hitmen being in contest with the rink. Whatever reason the game was nearly one half hour delayed. I know the Blues couldn’t get into their locker room because youth hockey was using it. Can you say “gamesmanship”?
The Blue and Gold came out Smokin’ in the first period! Nick Townes started the scoring at the 9:42 mark with a shot past Chicago Goalie, Nick Kohn to make it 1 – 0. He was assisted on the play be Gavin Tufte and Kyle Cook. Then, just over two minutes later Mike Williams put a wrister past Kohn for the second Blues goal. He was assisted by Cody Kohn and Paul Byrne, score 2 – 0. Three minutes later Kyle Cook scored on assists from Cody Kohn (again) and Josef Pontasch. They still weren’t finished scoring in the first as Mitch Rogge put the puck in the net with help from Mike Williams and Cody Dixon. Just two and one half minutes later Mike Williams scored his second goal of the game on assists by Radim Matus and Mitch Rogge. After the smoke cleared and the dust settled, the horn sounded to end the first period with the Blues leading 5 – 0 over the Hitmen.
Period two saw the teams trade goals and our newest member of the Jr. Blues, Radim Matus scored the sixth goal for the Jr. Blues from the right side of the goal. He was unassisted on the play. Madigan of the Hitmen was given a minor penalty for slashing at 17:57 of the second. He also received a 10 minute game misconduct for slashing as well. Medjia of Chicago also was given a two minute penalty for slashing at the same time.
The third period was dominated by the Blues as they scored four more times. Kevin Walters started the scoring in the third with assists from Cook and Dixon. Tufte followed with assists by Nauman and Mike Williams. Ethan Nauman finally got a goal on a sweet pass from Chris Sitler. Kyle Cook scored his second goal of the game unassisted and late in the game Chicago scored their second goal. That made the final score 10 – 2 Jr. Blues as this was their most dominating game of the season.
The same two teams face off again tomorrow evening, and we’ll bring you the game on the FASTHockey network.