Springfield, Illinois – The Springfield Jr. Blues split their weekend series against the Topeka Pilots and now have a 9-9-2-1 record. With 21 points the Jr. Blues are currently tied with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs for 3rd in the Midwest Division.
The Jr. Blues three game win streak came to an end on Friday at the hands of the Pilots, 2-1. Jonathan Panisa (Irvine, CA) scored the lone Springfield goal in the 1st period, but that would be the only offense Topeka goaltender Emil Gransoe would allow. Jack Williams (St. Louis, MO) stopped 18 of 20 shots in the loss, his 5th loss of the season.
With over 100 boy scouts and girl scouts in attendance, the Jr. Blues exploded offensively on Saturday night by a final score of 6-0. It would turn out to be a night of firsts for many Jr. Blues players as Nikita Kozyrev (Tallin, Estonia), Kyle Gudme (St. Clair, MI), and Sam Sterne (Batavia, IL) would all score their first goals of the season.
Brandon Puricelli (St. Louis, MO) would add two goals of his own and Ryan Reid (Phoenix, AZ) notched his third goal of the season. Panisa had three assists in the game, while Kozyrev and Sterne both had two. Williams stopped all 26 shots sent his way to earn his first shutout of the season and his 6th win.
The Jr. Blues will be at home this weekend to play the second place Janesville Jets at 7:05 pm on Friday night and 6:05 pm on Saturday night. The Jets are currently four points ahead of the Jr. Blues in the division but have played one more game.
