Springfield, Illinois – The Springfield Jr. Blues we unable to quiet the Kenai River Brown Bears over the weekend, only able to secure one of four possible points. With the loss on Friday and the overtime loss on Saturday, the Jr. Blues record now sits at 0-5-1-0 for 1 point. The Jr. Blues are 6th place in the Midwest Division in this young season.
Friday night saw the Jr. Blues get on the board first when Isaac Keller potted his first goal of the season. Kenai would answer when Hayden Walters found the back of the net late in the period. The 2nd period was fast paced with both teams getting quality scoring chances but couldn’t capitalize as both goaltenders kept their teams in it and the score remained 1-1 heading into the final period.
The 3rd period was dead even through the midway point when Kenai scored to break the tie and take a 2-1 lead. They would add a power play goal late and capped it off with an empty net goal with a minute remaining to give them a 4-1 win. Jr. Blues goaltender JJ Cataldo stopped 36 of 39 in the loss.
On Saturday, both teams came out hard and played a fast, physical 1st period that saw no goals scored. Both teams exchanged goals in the middle frame as Jr. Blues forward Zach Howard and Brown Bears forward Marko Giourof found the back of the net to send it to the 3rd all square at 1-1.
The 3rd period was another fast-paced period that would see both teams get some great scoring chances early but both goaltenders stood tall. Niko Laus would give the Jr. Blues a 2-1 lead at the 4-minute mark with his first NAHL goal. The Brown Bears would eventually tie things at 2 when Cade Baker scored with just over five minutes to go in the game. Kenai would strike in overtime when Cade Baker scored his second goal of the game on the powerplay.
The Jr. Blues head to Cloquet, MN this weekend to take on the Minnesota Wilderness. Both games will be streamed live on NAHLTV.com. The next home weekend is October 13th & 14th when the Wisconsin Windigo make their first trip to the Nelson Center.
