The Jr. Blues are ready, the Janesville Jets are ready, and I’m ready to watch and report the game from below the blue line. The puck will drop at 7:00 pm and the playoffs will be under way. Both teams know each other well and both will be ready to hit hard and grind out the game to the end. This is the first of two games in Janesville. The Jets have home ice advantage for the first round after finishing ahead of the Blues in the Midwest standings. A win by the Blues in Janesville (or better still – two wins) would negate that advantage. The Blues were just as productive away from the friendly confines of the Franklin P. Nelson Center as they were at home, so I don’t think there is any “home ice advantage” for or against the Blue and Gold. This should be one of the best first round matchups in the league and either team can take it and move on. Game three moves to Springfield next weekend so make your plans now to come out the “Nellie” and make Lots of noise for the Good Guys. One thing for sure, if you’re a hockey fan, you will enjoy this first round matchup, I promise you!
I went to breakfast with the team this morning in the hotel. The guys were loose and enjoying the morning, even those who rarely see the early light. All year long they have played a game at mealtime called “Shoe Check”. That’s a game directed toward the rookies (even at this stage of the season, they are still considered rookies if they are first year guys). A veteran sneaks around and put ketchup or mayo, or some other condiment on one of the rookie’s shoe. If he doesn’t get caught doing it, the team starts thumping on their tables. That’s a sure sign somebody has something on their shoe. Whoever is “it” must then get up on a chair and sing a song, either of their choosing or a song chosen by the veterans. This morning Paul Byrne got it again and sang a rousing rendition (uh, well, just go with it here) of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. While it wasn’t loud or boisterous, it was entertaining and Paul was a good sport about having to sing. I don’t think Paul will ever be a wedding singer, but he performed admirably.
Oh, if the veteran is caught in the act of getting a rookie, the rookie has permission to dump a glass of water on the vet. That hasn’t happened this year as far as I can remember. Everyone enjoys the game and it’s good for laughs. Well, maybe the rookies don’t so much, but nearly all of them have been good sports about “Shoe Check”.
Next week, you will want to arrive early at the Nelson Center and get your playoff T-shirt. Whatever color they end up being, let’s get as many sold and worn by the crowd as we possibly can. Do your part to support “Our Team”.
We arrived at the rink at approximately the same time as usual, two hours before game time. It’s playoff time and while everything the players have heard throughout their hockey careers about “just another game”, it just doesn’t play at this time of year. The Jr. Blues have that look in their eyes, they want this first game and they want the trip to Texas. They want it for the fans who have followed them all year long, and they want it for themselves. They’ve all been in similar situations coming up through their hockey careers, but this is the biggest stage they’ve been on yet. I think they’re ready. I want them to achieve what they didn’t get a chance to do last year, and I think they will get it done.
The first period was like the movie Fast and Furious. Both teams played to a draw with only two penalties at the end of the stanza. McBride was given a total of four minutes of penalties, two minutes for a facemask and two minutes for roughing. Kyle Cook mixed it up with the Jets’ player and was called for two minutes for roughing. Both teams had just six shots on goal and after one it was 0 – 0.
The second period was more of the same, fast and furious hockey with tempers heating up. Rehm was called for an elbow, Paul Byrne was whistled for a check from behind and just before the end of the period Ben Kramer and McBride wrestled to the ice and were given two minute penalties for delay of game. The physicality was more pronounced and picked up during the second. With the Jets on a power play, Kyle Cook stole the puck and lit the lamp for the only score of the game, and after two periods the Blues led 1 – 0.
The third period was evenly matched in speed and defense until Cody Dixon, from the left side, elevated the puck over the Jets Goalie’s left shoulder to make the score 2 – 0. Kevin Walters and Chris Sitler assisted on the goal. That sums up the fast and furious action as the Jr. Blues take game one of the first round of the playoffs.
Game two is tomorrow night, right here at the Janesville ice arena.
It’s playoff time. The Springfield Jr. Blues made the bus trip back to Janesville a day early to prepare for the first round game against the Jets. The team has been for sale and a myriad of ups and downs, frustrations and so on have kept many on pins and needles. The Blues also have had their share of ups and downs this season as well, but everything was, for me any way, put into perspective as we went to the Italian House restaurant for lunch today. Earlier this week Janesville lost one their finest. A 54 year old detective died off duty, and his funeral was held today in the school next to the restaurant. I had the distinct privilege of honoring the procession as it made its way past on its way to the cemetery. Police Officer funerals are always a very big deal with officers attending from far and wide, so it was an honor and a privilege, as a retired Trooper from Illinois to indirectly represent my Department and my state with a salute to the processional. Our condolences go out to the officer’s family and to the Janesville Police Department. God Bless them all!
Playing Janesville the last couple of years, I’ve made a few friends and have a great deal of respect for their team. A life cut short always seems to bring out the friendships and draws us all closer together. A Police Officer’s funeral certainly makes us old retired “coppers” think about our careers, our friendships and those that have gone on before us.
Now, the playoffs are a brand new season. To draw the Jr. Blues together in a commitment to do their absolute best, each one of the Jr. Blues got haircuts. They didn’t just get regular old haircuts, to a man they had their heads cut close on the sides and left the top long. Can anyone say “mullets”. Tyler Rehm even had his number shaved into the back of his head. Nick Townes earned a new nickname from me. His hair was long and curly, but now it’s sculpted into one of the finest mullets I’ve ever seen. What is his nickname you ask? Well, “Joe Dirt” of course, from the David Spade movie of the same name. Nick looks just like Joe D. Well, at least his haircut looks similar. The best mullet of the whole group though is on the blonde head of Kevin Walters. He even looks good in it, just a few years out of place maybe, but he certainly looks good in the mullet. I told the guys if they make it past the first two rounds and play in Texas for the “Robbie” I would cut my hair mullet style too. My wife though, informed me I would do no such thing. Now, do I take one for the team, or obey my wife’s wishes. What do you think? No mullet for me!
Every year, for the playoffs, the guys do something to promote the “team”. The first year we were involved every one of them bleached their hair. Twenty-five Jr. Blues and two grandsons came out blonde! Some of them actually had more of an orange tint, but they all did it for the team. There just isn’t any other game like hockey. Playoffs are another entity altogether. That is one of the reasons I think the game is so great.
Tonight (Thursday) the team will gather as a group to watch Minnesota vs. Boston College in the “Frozen Four” contest. It should be a good hockey game as the two teams are ranked one and two. With so many kids from Minnesota, I may just have to cheer for Boston College. We don’t want the room too heavily favored for the Golden Gophers.
With one goal scored by the Blues last night, Kyle Cook assisted Chris Sitler, both added to their team leading scoring tallies. The Cookie Monster has 31 Goals and 38 assists for 69 points for team lead followed closely by Sitz with 26 goals and 39 assists for 65 points. The Jets were beating up on Gabe Antoni last night, scoring four goals through two periods. Coach Dibble replaced Gabe with Tyler Parks late in the second period and “Big Tree” shut the Jet scoring machine down. The Jets didn’t score another goal the rest of the game, so Tyler will start for the Blues tonight between the pipes.
I can’t believe the regular season is wrapping up tonight. In some ways it seems it just started. The Blues have played up to expectations since January, and it’s good to have the team back in the playoffs. The new season – playoffs – start right back here against Janesville next weekend. The greatest concern this weekend was to get through it without injuries. Unfortunately, last night Mitch Rogge suffered a broken bone in his wrist, Kevin Walters caught a high ankle sprain, and Jordan Johnson may have received a slight concussion on a questionable hit to the head that the referee never saw. So the Blue and Gold will be without some key players tonight and others will need to step up and pick up the slack for some of the veterans. The team needs a win tonight to equal the number of wins picked up last season, but numbers of wins aren’t nearly as important as keeping the rest of the guys healthy for playoffs.
The Blues aren’t the only team concerned about injuries going into the playoffs. Janesville has lost both of their goalies that have minded the net all season. They stepped up their game last night though in protecting their rookie goalie. It reminded me of the Blues game earlier in the season when Parks was out recovering from an appendectomy and Gabe was thought to suffer a possible concussion during a game. Sometimes the team can step up and do magnificent things when adversity hits. Such was the case with the Jets last night.
The first period was fast and furious as both teams engaged in the proverbial racehorse hockey. The Jets scored first at the 5:14 mark, but the Blues answered with a goal of their own at the 8:15 mark. Josef Pontasch scored with assists from Sitler and Byrne. The Blues thought they got the go ahead goal, which the referee, who was out of position, explained the no goal as he thought the goalie had the puck covered. Even though the lamp was lit it was called a no goal. Tempers are beginning to flare as a lot of pushing and shoving has been going on around the net when play is stopped. So, while the Blues should be leading 2 – 1, the score was 1 – 1 at the first intermission. The Blues started the second period on the Power Play for 1:22.
The Blues couldn’t cash in on the Power Play to start the second period, but Brett Skibba took the puck up the left side and unleashed a one-timer past the Jet Goalie at 3:48 of the second to make the score 2 – 1 in favor of the Blues. Ben Kramer and Gavin Tufte assisted on Skibba’s goal. The Blues played much more aggressively through the first two periods, and the defense has returned to the ice. After two periods Janesville had 18 shots on goal to the Blues 13. Tyler Park has been stellar between the pipes through the first two periods.
The Jets tied the score at 12:57 of the third and neither team could score after that. The period ended tied 2 – 2. The Blues defense worked hard during the third and both teams played the hardest I’ve seen nearly all year. Overtime!
Josef Pontasch took the faceoff at center ice, went through the Jets defense and put the puck past the Jets Goalie to win the game for the Blues at 1:26 into the overtime. The Blues split the two game series and will return to Janesville next Friday and Saturday for the first round of the playoffs. Join me on FASTHockey.com if you can’t be here! Final score 3 – 2, the Jr. Blues win in overtime!
How will the last series play out of the regular season? Will the coaches keep their top players out of the last two games of the season? These questions and others will be answered tonight, in part, and tomorrow night. The last two games of the NAHL regular season are actually meaningless in making any difference in the standings of the Midwest Division. The Jets have second place locked up, and the Blues have third place locked up. Next week the Jr. Blues travel back up here to Janesville to kick of the first two games of the first round of the play offs. The games count next week. This week is an also ran weekend where you don’t want anything to hamper your playoff run, no injuries, no suspensions, no negatives that might hurt your playoff chances for victory. So what can we expect come game time this weekend? Janesville will want to make a statement on their home ice, especially after being swept two weeks ago in Springfield. If nothing else, this series will be interesting.
Everyone is healthy and ready for playoffs for the Jr. Blues. The team is probably as good as they’ve been all season and there are rumors about teams not really wanting to play us. Nobody in the league hits any harder than this edition of Blue and Gold. No other team will give you all they’ve got game in and game out like our Jr. Blues. This team has a lot of character (as well as a lot of characters). They’ve been fun to watch and fun to call the play by play for. A lot of these players are winding down their Junior Careers. Some will go on to play hockey in college while others may hang up their skates and end their competitive hockey careers. This group has had a great run through bad times and good times. Next week starts a new season and they will advance as long as they keep playing good strong hockey like they have since January. When all is said and done they will all go their separate ways, but they will leave a lot of great memories in Springfield! So while they keep on keeping on all I can say is; “We love ya Blues!
No matter how things turn out or how far a run you make in the playoffs, you will leave behind many, many pleasant and great memories. If and when you come back to town to visit it will be like “coming home”. The doors will always be open.
Now, game time is upon us. We enter the enemy’s camp to take no prisoners. Victory is yours Jr. Blues, victory is yours! Let’s go grab it!
An update on the Jets, both of their Goalies have been injured and are out tonight. Their starting goalie is a high school kid who is supposed to be an up and comer. The Jets have lost six straight games on the road and have been in a real scoring slump. The kid looked pretty good in warm ups though so the only way to tell is to watch the game.
Tonight we congratulate Gabe Antoni on his commitment to Bentley University in Massachusetts! He will play Goalie next year for the Falcons, and we wish him good luck and much success as he heads off for college life next year. He is just one more in a long list of guys who have committed to a college or university while a member of the Springfield Jr. Blues. Earlier this season Stewart Bell made his college commitment to Tufts University, and Kyle Cook is headed to Mercyhurst. Several of the other Jr. Blues are also seriously looking at making college commitments, but these are the latest signings that we have. That is why the guys play Jr. Hockey, and we always are happy for each and every player that finds the right college fit for them.
Tonight Dave Kane, one of the feature Sportswriters with The State Journal-Register in Springfield is camping out in Don Trello’s old spot in the press box. With the Blues winning and locked into the playoffs they are finally getting some press coverage that hasn’t been there since Trello retired and moved to Florida, so thank you goes out to Jim Ruppert, Sports Editor, and the Sports staff at the paper.
Hey! If you haven’t checked out the “Official Jr. Blues Blog” go to www.JrBlues.com and click on my Mug Shot. That will take you directly to the blog. NalKil Productions are adding game highlights videos to the blog and it looks good. If you haven’t taken a look lately, try another look. We are getting it better and better, at least I think so. These young guys and their tech savvy just absolutely amazes me at times. I can’t take any credit for the blog except for the articles. I still have a ball working with these guys!
Tonight the Blues and Bandits square off for the last time in the regular season. We might see them in the playoffs, but what is so interesting is that for the first time in years, the Blues aren’t the floor mat of the Bandits. They have traded wins all year, but with the game tonight the Jr. Blues have beaten the Bandits three games in a row. That has never happened since Barb and I have been working with the team. Not to be greedy or anything, but I will take another Blues win tonight…and two more next week at Janesville. If that’s being greedy, well, so be it. Let’s go Blues!
Springfield and St. Louis were off and running again tonight as the Bandits scored twice before the Blues could tickle the back of the net. Birmingham drew first blood with a goal at 8:09 with help from Kalisz, 1 – 0. At 12:31 Pollock scored the second Bandit goal on an assist from Dangel to make it 2 – 0. In years past the Blues would have folded and resigned themselves to another Bandit controlled game, but no so, this group. Chris Sitler scored at 17:17 on assists from Cody Dixon and Kyle Cook, and the Blues cut the lead in half. At the first intermission the Bandits led 2 – 1.
You could say period two was a disaster for the Springfield Jr. Blues, but I don’t think that would be an adequate description. Murphy’s Law was in effect for the Blues because anything that could go wrong did, and then some. The Bandits scored four times to take a 6 – 1 lead into the locker room for second intermission. The Blues passing was off, but then so was everything else. Not only did the Blue and Gold not bring their “A” game, they left the rest of the game at home as well.
There’s an old saying that “if it weren’t for bad luck they’d have no luck at all.” Also, “some days are diamonds, some days are rocks…” Tonight was a giant mountain of rock for the Blues.
The third period was ugly and sloppy, but dominated by the Bandits. Parks replaced Antoni earlier in the game, passing was off all game for the Blues. The Good Guys just did not play well. The only bright spots for the Blues were a goal by Kyle Cook on a penalty shot, and Ethan Nauman got the breakaway scoreless monkey off his back. There were few bright spots during this game. Cody Kohn’s steady defensive play was steady but the team really didn’t play well in any area.
St. Louis clinched the Midwest Division with the win so the Blues will spend the next two weekends in Janesville, next weekend to end the regular season and the following weekend in the first round of the playoffs.
Once again, the final score was 8 – 4 Bandits over the Jr. Blues.
The Jr. Blues continue their tough prep for the playoffs. They swept Janesville last week, and the last time they met the Bandits they swept them too. Tonight is a different chapter in the saga of the 2011-2012 Jr. Blues NAHL season. The team has been playing extremely well since the first of the year and last week they looked more than ready for the first round of the playoffs. So, it’s two games with the Bandits this weekend and then two with the Jets in Janesville to finish the regular season. Janesville has an open date this weekend and doesn’t play, and they trail St. Louis by three points which can only grow depending on the outcome of these games with the Blues.
Since the first of the year the defense has made a statement in both offensive and defensive ends of the ice. The offense has become more consistent and can score in bunches at times. Both sides of the puck have shown great strides in improving their play and have become more and more fun to watch and for me to call the play by play. Any way you cut it this is fast becoming a very special season. Can they go all the way? Why not? If you’re going to dream, dream big Pilgrim! That’s what’s going on around the organization, and people are beginning to believe in this group of guys. They’ve come together as a team and they have been entertaining. More and more Springfieldians are chanting “Let’s Go Blues!”
Before I go any further I want to send my “Thanks” out to both the Parents of our Players, who so graciously loan us their boys for seven months of the year, and to the Billet families that take these young men into their homes and make them their “Sons” for the season. Bonds are formed that will never be broken, and the experience of all concerned will be cherished memories many years down the road. Words can’t express the gratitude for both of these fine groups. And to those who read this and want to house a player or two, well, go to the official Jr. Blues web site and check out the Billet information. The Blues always need another Billet, or two, or three…well, you get the idea.
With warm ups right around the corner, game time is on the way. Will the Blues take down their biggest rival? Time will tell, and we don’t have long to wait.
The first period was typical game between the Blues and the Bandits, and typical of all the Jr. Blues games of late. Speed and defense on both sides says it all so far. The game is scoreless after one period as Gabe Antoni was flawless in the net for the Blue and Gold. The Bandits controlled the puck for the most part and took the majority of the face offs.
Cody Kohn shined on defense each shift he was on the ice. Ethan Nauman got another break away, but was unable to get the puck past the Bandit Goalie. Still the Blues played well over all during the first period as the defense held St. Louis at bay. Give credit to the Bandits though, they played much better than at the last meeting in December.
The second period was more speed and defense with all of it “in a hurry”! The Blues scored at the 1:31 mark on a goal by (who else of late) Josef Pontasch with an assist by Chris Sitler. The Bandits tied it at 1 – 1 at 10:51 on a Dichiara goal, but the Blues defense kicked it up a notch and the offense took a few lessons from the “D”. Tyler Rehm gave the Blues back the lead at 16:41 with a little help from Sitler and Jordan Johnson. Just under a minute and one half later Kyle Cook got into the scoring column with assists from Kevin Walters and Josef Pontasch to make the score 3 – 1 after two periods. Again the defense played with fire in their eyes to keep the Bandits off balance.
The Blues went up in a hurry at :37 seconds into the third and led 4 – 1. The Bandits retaliated with a goal of their own at 3:12, then scored again at 16:38 to get back within a goal. The Bandits pulled their goalie, but the Blues defense held up against six attackers and the Blue and Gold prevailed 4 – 3.
The same two teams drop the puck at 7:00 pm again tomorrow night for the last regular season home game at the Nelson Center.
Cody Kohn was given the third star of the game, Kalisz for St. Louis was given second star and Josef Pontasch was named first star of the game.
Mike Hickey
The St. Louis Bandits come to town March 23rd and 24th for the last Jr. Blues Home series of the regular season. This will be the last opportunity of the regular season to fill up the ol’ “Nellie” and cheer on the men in Blue and Gold. Sure, the Blues are locked in for the NAHL playoffs, but this will be another good indicator of their potential to fulfill the dream of preseason of bringing the “Robbie” back to the Capitol City. After sweeping the Jets over this past weekend the Blues are filled with confidence and are playing their best hockey in a long, long time. Don’t miss the excitement! If you can’t make it to the rink for two exciting games against the Blues nemesis, St. Louis Bandits, then go to FASTHockey.com and catch all the action.
Blues Hockey has been one of the most exciting sports events around since the first of the year. The team is playing up to the talent and expectations of preseason and you don’t want to miss any of the excitement. Both night’s games will start at 7:00 pm with the center ice faceoff.
So, come one, come all! Bring a cowbell, bring a bucket and a stick, bring thunder sticks, make a lot of noise and let the Bandits know the Blues and their fans mean business! I promise you’ll have a great time and it will super family entertainment as well!
Inside the rink the temperature is cool and feels like hockey. Outside the rink the readings are in the low 80’s and feels nothing like a day for a regular season hockey matchup between the Jr. Blues and the Janesville Jets. The reminder is this though, the regular season schedule of the North American Hockey League is winding down in a hurry. After this afternoon’s game there are only four contests left in the regular season, two next week against St. Louis at home, then two games against these same Jets on their home ice. I think the Blues are ready for the playoffs after their surge since the first of this year and solidifying a playoff spot early. They rebounded in a big way from two losses against Kalamazoo this weekend by taking the first two wins in the three game series against Janesville. They are playing the best hockey they’ve played all year, and you know what? They are playing with attitude. They have that “in your face, take it away from me if you can” attitude that is necessary to make a good playoff run. Will we see you in Texas for the finals? Who knows at this stage, but these guys have the best opportunity the organization has had in years. So, hey…Let’s Go Blues!
Tyler Rehm will be back in the lineup after serving a one game suspension for Friday night’s 10 minute major and game ejection call by a referee that missed a lot of calls on everyone but the Jr. Blues. Ruslan Pedan will also return after a one game suspension for dropping the gloves with one of the Jets. He thought the Janesville player made a bad check on a team mate and did what hockey players are supposed to do by tradition. He dropped the gloves and the two duked it out. Ruslan didn’t fight long though as he took a quick blow to the nose that took him down to the ice. Give the Rusky credit though, he did what was right in the unwritten rules of hockey. Way to go “Russian Rocket”!
The Blues will have their hands full today as Janesville will not “go quietly into the good night”. The Jets have been surprised by the Blues Friday and Saturday, but I certainly expect them to come out of the gate today with a vengeance. Every team we’ve watched this year has gone through some down stretches, and that could possibly be part of the case with the Jets, but the Blue and Gold are playing excellent hockey right now.
The first twenty minutes was typical of a Blues – Jets game, fast and furious. Tyler Parks was stellar in goal during the first period stopping several point blank onslaught attacks by the Jets. Stew Bell and Pius Rulivicious dropped the gloves two seconds into the game and both sat out penalized five minutes for fighting. It was one of Bell’s best fights of his Junior Hockey career, but his record is still perfect…no wins. Mike Williams, with assists from Cody Dixon and Kevin Walters, scored the only goal of the first with a stinging wrister from the left side to make it 1 – 0 Good Guys. The Jets were 0 – 2 and the Blues 1 – 2 on Power Play opportunities. Six penalties were called for a total of eighteen minutes during the first period.
The second period ramped up the hostilities as the frustration began to show on the Jets players. The sweetest move of the stanza was a pass by Kevin Walters on the point to Josef Pontasch on the left side of the net who drew the Jets Goalie toward him. Pontasch redirected the puck to the right side to Chris Sitler who slammed it into the net for a 2 – 0 lead. Tyler Parks made several more outstanding saves to keep the Jets out of the net. The Blues a few puck handling mistakes over the course of the period, but it didn’t cost them during the second twenty minutes.
The third period was more racehorse up and down the ice. The Jets won the majority of the faceoffs throughout the game, but were unable to generate any offense as a result. The Blues on the other hand were able to take advantage of every break. Radim Matus scored an unassisted goal and Josef Pontasch ended the scoring with the fourth goal in the third period. All in all the weekend was a sweet sweep for the Blues as they go to 29 – 25 – 2 for the year and continue their march toward the playoffs.
Next week it’s two games against the resurgent St. Louis Bandits at the Nelson Center. Game time is 7:00 pm Friday and Saturday. If you can’t be at the game, tune in to FASTHockey.com with yours truly for all the action.
It was arguably one of the Jr. Blues biggest wins this season. To come from behind in the third period and then take an overtime victory from one of the best and most consistent teams in the NAHL made last night’s victory super sweet. After the third period debacles in Kalamazoo the week before, last night’s victory demonstrated the resiliency and grit of this edition of the Blue and Gold. They never gave up and just kept grinding until victory was hammered home on their second Power Play goal of the night by Ben “Scooter” Kramer in overtime. If nothing else, it should bring more fans out for tonight’s and tomorrow afternoon’s games against this very talented opponent from Southern Wisconsin. Go get ‘em Blues!
The Blues have secured a playoff spot this year and will probably face the Jets in the first round, so this series is a precursor of things to come. Win, lose or draw this will be one of the most exciting times in Springfield hockey since the Good Guys won back to back NAHL championships in the long distant past. If they keep playing the way they showed the fans last night, who knows, Texas may see a new bunch come the first of May. This season has been a “tale of two teams” as the Blues turned the corner in January and refuse to look back to what was a dismal first half of the season. They, like all teams, sometime experience that bump in the road, but they have learned from each of those bumps and are a much stronger team for all the adversity.
Last night’s victory also made the visit with parents and fans after the game all the more enjoyable. Several parents were in house that we haven’t had a chance to visit with in a while, and one Mom and Dad made the trip for the first time this year. Mom had never watched her son play Junior Hockey, so it was a game even more special for her last night. It was great to see them (meeting the Mom for the first time in person). I have a unique opportunity to visit with and get to know many parents via telephone, so it is always a neat experience to finally get to meet with them in person. That’s one of the perks of doing the play by play for the Blues. They listen to me and probably know me better than I can ever get to know them, but to visit with parents after the game means a great deal to me. These players end up acquiring an “extra” set of parents in their Billets, where they make their home during the long, long season in Springfield.
As the season winds down to the end of regulation I want to say a special thanks to the young “Techies” that have made our FASTHockey broadcasts work during this season. So, thank you “Nallie”, Josh, and Justin of NALKIL Productions for your hard work and for dragging me kicking and screaming into the tech-age. This season they forced me into using the internet more eloquently, and taught me how to post the “Official Jr. Blues Blog”, and to post the game summaries on the official Jr. Blues Web Site. Without their patience and encouragement I would still be clinging to the “Dark Ages” of technology, and as a popular TV commercial states; “I’m lovin’ it!” If you watch any video on the internet pertaining to the Springfield Jr. Blues it is probably all done by NalKil Productions. Thanks guys, and Super job this season!
It’s time for Jr. Blues Hockey!
I call it race horse hockey and the speed of the game seemed to pick up even more tonight over last night. Both teams played tough defense throughout the first period and the goalies are both on their “A” game. Neither team was able to score as the first stanza ended 0 – 0. Gavin Tufte was called for a check from behind penalty for the only infraction during the first. The Jetts were unable to score on the only Power Play and the Blues outshot the Jetts 10 – 7. The defense, again, stood out above the rest of the play during the period as the Blue and Gold plugged the crease to keep the puck out of the net and give a big assist to Gabe Antoni.
To say the second period was exciting would be a gross understatement. The Blues and the Jets played solid, fast paced defense throughout the period. Neither team was able to score until a “conference” goal was scored by Gavin Tufte at 16:02 with assists by Ethan Nauman and Jordan Johnson. The referee conferred with both benches and then went to the goal judge and finally ruled the goal scored. That was the first one and held up until two minutes and nine seconds later when Josef Pontasch intercepted a Jets pass in the neutral zone and took it to the house unassisted at 18:11 to make the score 2 – 0 Good Guys. It was Tufte’s 14th goal and Pontasch’s 22nd goal of the season and gives them 41 and 58 points for the season.
Third period was all Blues defense as they shut down the vaunted Jett Defense and played some of their best defense of the year. Neither team was able to score and the two second period goals by the Blue and Gold held up for the victory. Kyle Cook was the third star, Gavin Tufte the second star and Gabe “Zamboni” Antoni, pitching a shutout against Janesville was the number one star of the game.
Both teams had 29 shots on goal during the game. Janesville went 0 – 4 on the Power Play and 0 – 13 in the two games this weekend. The Blues scored a Power Play goal and special teams are performing at their peak. Blues go to 28 – 25 – 2 on the year.
The same two teams play tomorrow at 4:00 pm for the third and final game of this three game set. Congratulations Jr. Blues!
What could be a precursor of the first round of playoffs, the Jr. Blues take on the Janesville Jets tonight in the first of three games at home. After all the recent road trips it actually seems a bit strange to be back at the Franklin P. Nelson Center, in Lincoln Park of Abe’s home town. After playing each other to approximately .500 during the previous meetings this season this is one of the most important series for the Blues all season, especially after the reality check last weekend in Kalamazoo. Not only did two losses to the Jr. K-Wings bring the team down to earth, it brought them crashing down in a heap. Hopefully they have their skates planted firmly on the ice and have learned you have to play ALL sixty minutes of the game. We’ll see tonight and the rest of the weekend.
Going into tonight’s game the Blue and Gold are just one game over the coveted .500 mark. They are certainly capable of sweeping, or taking two of three games from the Jets, but are they mentally ready for both this weekend, but also for the rest of the season. Let’s hope the talent and mental attitude are right. It could make for a whale of a Cinderella story! And believe me with this team it is very possible. Let’s go Blues!
The game started out much as expected with quick trips up and down the ice. It was a good defensive battle by both teams until Rulevicious put the puck between the pipes at the 10:13 mark of the first period. He was assisted on the goal by Johnson and Landowski. The score stood that way until 17:27 when Kevin Walters tied the score with a vicious one-timer from the point that Kujava never had a chance on. Chris Sitler and Josef Pontasch assisted on the Power Play goal. After that the teams alternated power plays for the rest of the stanza.
The Jets started period two with 57 seconds of Power Play left over from the first period. The period was quickly played as was the first with Janesville scoring to break the 1 – 1 tie with a goal at 1:25 into the period. Just thirty seconds later Kyle Cook took a pass from Sitler and Pontasch to tie the game a second time. The Jets regained the lead at 9:31 on Carlson’s goal, and it continued to be penalty after penalty breaking up the continuity of game.
Josef Pontasch scored at 8:46 to tie the game that was still being played evenly in spite of a plethora of Jr. Blues penalties. The third period ended with a super defensive effort by the Blues and regulation ended in a tie.
Overtime and the Blues began an onslaught on goal with under a minute to go. With a check from behind on Janesville, the Blue and Gold went on a 4 on 3 overtime Power Play. A pass from Cookie to Pontasch and his pass to Scooter Kramer who put it past Kujava for the game winner.
