Springfield, Illinois – The Springfield Jr. Blues are finally back in action this weekend as they kick off the second half of the season with a three-game series against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs at the Nelson Center. The Jr. Blues and Ice Dogs played earlier this season up in Fairbanks with the Jr.Blues winning both games by scores of 5-4 and 5-1.
The Jr. Blues, who currently sit in 8th place in the Midwest Division, have a record of 10-17-2-1 for 23 points and are 3-7 in the past ten games. Veteran defensemen Jake Peterson had a great first half of the season and continues to lead the Jr. Blues in scoring with 23 points including 8 goals. Peterson led the offensive attack in December with 7 points in 7 games including 4 goals. Team captain Isaac Keller is second on the team in scoring with 20 points and Landry Schmuck leads the Jr. Blues in goals with 9 including 3 game winning goals.
Goaltender JJ Cataldo has carried the load in the net through the first half appearing in 24 of the 30 games. He has 2.92 goals against average and a .916 save percentage. Cataldo has been in the net for all 10 wins this season for the Jr. Blues and has a record of 10-11-1-1.
The Fairbanks Ice Dogs make their first and only trip to the Nelson Center this season and currently sit in 6thplace in the Midwest Division with a record of 12-15-1-4 for 29 points. Forwards Marc Lund, Jake Cameron, Nick Blood, and Reece Cordray are all tied for the lead in scoring with 19 points. Lund also leads the team in goals with 10. Veteran goaltender Tyler Krivtsov has carried the load for the Dogs in net starting 22 games. He has a record of 10-9-1-2 with 2.70 goals against average and .911 save percentage.
The two teams will begin the three-game set on Friday January 5 at the Nelson Center with puck drop set for 7:05 PM CST. They will also play Saturday January 6 at 6:05 PM CST and Sunday January 7 at 4:05 PM CST. Come on out to the Nelson Center for some fast-paced family fun!
