Springfield, Illinois – The Springfield Jr. Blues are coming off a pair of exciting victories over Fairbanks and are back at the Nelson Center this weekend as they host the Chippewa Steel for a two games Friday and Saturday. Springfield and Chippewa met on October 6th and 7th in Chippewa Falls where the Steel swept the Jr. Blues by scores of 6-1 and 5-2. When the Puck drops Friday night, the Jr. Blues will be looking to repay the favor.
The Jr. Blues, who currently sit in 7th place in the Midwest Division, have a record of 12-18-2-1 for 27 points and are 5-5 in their last ten games. Veteran co-captain Jake Peterson and Isaack Keller continue to lead the team offensively. Peterson has 8 goals and 15 assist while Keller has notched 7 goals and 16 assists for 23 points. Both players have already surpassed last season point totals as they both finished the 22-23 season with 20 points.
Goaltending has been a strong suit for the Jr. Blues this season and 20-year-old JJ Cataldo has been carrying the load in the crease. JJ has a record of 11-12-1-1 with 2.85 goals against average and .920 save percentage. Rookie newcomer Matt Schoephoester picked up his first win in a Springfield Jersey on Sunday beating Fairbanks 4-3 stopping 39 of 42 shots.
Chippewa will be making their first appearance in the Capital City this season and currently sit in 5th place in the Midwest Division with a record of 15-14-2-2 for 34 pts. The Steel are 4-3-2-1 in their las ten games and are coming off a 3-2 OT loss in Janesville on Friday night. The Steel are led by Forward Peyton Platter who has tallied 16 goals and 15 assists for 31 points. Former Jr. Blues defensemen Scott Miner has 4 goals and 11 assist so far this season.
Steel goaltenders Ajay White and Carter Wishart has split playing time both appearing in 17 games. Wishart has a record of 6-7-1-1 with 3.06 goals against average and .895 save percentage. White’s numbers are a little better as he has 2.65 goals against and .906 save percentage.
The Jr. Blues and Steel will square off Friday night at 7:05 PM and will meet again on Saturday at 6:05 PM. Both games are at the Nelson Center. Don’t forget to join us on the blue mat for Happy Hour on Friday from 6-7 PM. There will also be a post game skate with the team on Saturday.
BY THE NUMBERS: Veteran forward Hadley Hudak is coming off a big weekend where he notched 4 points in the three-game series against Fairbanks. Hadley had 2 goals in the 4-3 win on Sunday. He also suited up for his 100th game in a Jr. Blues jersey on Saturday. He has recorded 15 goals and 19 assists for 34 points in 101 NAHL games.
