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!
