The Springfield Jr. Blues erupted for a season high 7 goals Saturday night to take a 7-2 North American Hockey League win over the Minnesota Wilderness.
It also gave Springfield a split of the two-game series after falling 3-2 on Friday night. Springfield (8-6-1-1) has 18 points and is in fourth place in the NAHL Midwest Division, trailing both Fairbanks and the Minnesota Magicians by two points.
Springfield held on to a 3-2 lead through two periods Saturday night. Springfield’s Nikita Kozyrev and Minnesota’s Luke Dow traded goals as the Jr. Blues held on to a 4-3 lead midway through the third.
The Wilderness then pulled their goalie that led to three empty-net goals for Springfield. Ethan Stewart scored on assists from Chase Mickelson and Kozyrev at 18 minutes into the third period for a 5-3 lead followed by Jeff Skinner (at 19:43) and Fabio Hollenstein (19:54).
Springfield got earlier goals by Mickelson, Bradley Marek and Max Brainin. Mickelson finished with one goal and three assists. Kozyrev and Stewart both got their sixth goals of the season and are tied for the team lead.
Springfield outshot the Wilderness 31-29 in shots on goal, with Evan Fear making 27 saves.
Springfield returns to action Friday and Saturday when they play a two-game series at Janesville against the 1st-place Jets.
