Springfield Jr. Blues at Minnesota Magicians | Oct. 12th, 13th & 14th | Richfield Ice Arena
Viewing Party
All Springfield Jr. Blues road games are shown LIVE on TV at Cooper’s AlleySide Restaurant, located inside King Pin Lanes.
PREVIEW
The Springfield Jr. Blues will be on the road this weekend, as they battle Midwest divisional opponent Minnesota Magicians in a 3 game series that begins Thursday night at 7:05pm.
The Minnesota Magicians are coming off a successful weekend that saw them capture their first 2 victories of the season, sweeping the Coulee Region Chill. Springfield split their most recent series with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, but remained in 3rd place in the Midwest Division.
Last season, Springfield was 7-5-0 against the Minnesota Magicians.
MINNESOTA MAGICIANS
Tale Of The Tape:
Record: 2-3-0-1, 5 Pts. (5th in Midwest)
Goals Per Game: 2.67/Game
Goals Against Average: 3.00/Game
Scoring Leaders: Brendan Skarda, F (6 GP, 4 Goals-1 Assist-5 Points), Matt Denman, D (6 GP, 1 Goal-4 Assists-5 Points), John Keranen (6 GP, 1 Goal-4 Assists-5 Points)
Forward To Watch:
Brendan Skarda: Another forward that Springfield should be familiar with by now. Skarda scored 4 goals in his rookie season against Springfield and is currently riding a 4-game scoring streak. If Springfield wants to keep the Magicians off the scoreboard, they will have to keep a close eye on Skarda.
Manning the Blue Line:
Matt Denman: Another Magicians player coming off a good weekend is defenseman Matt Denman. Denman had 4 points and a shootout winner against Coulee Region last weekend and was rewarded with the NAHL Player of the Week honor. If Denman is unable to replicate his success from last weekend, then it should bode well for Springfield.
Between The Pipes:
Isaiah Saville: Age is just a number, and Isaiah Saville is proof of that. Just after celebrating his 17th birthday, Saville notched his first 2 victories in the NAHL. He carries a 2.96 GAA and just a .902 save %, so if Springfield can get shots on net, they could find success against the Alaska native.
SPRINGFIELD JR. BLUES
Tale Of The Tape:
Record: 4-4-0-1, 9 Pts. (3rd in Midwest)
Goals Per Game: 2.11/Game
Goals Against Average: 3.00/Game
Top Scorers: Jordan Muzzillo (9 GP, 2 G-4 A-6 Pts.), Max Brainin (9 GP, 0 G-5 A-5 Pts.), Fabio Hollenstein (8 GP, 1 G-4 A-5 Pts.)
Forward To Watch:
Ethan Stewart: The Rockford, Illinois native had a rough first 4 games in Springfield. However, after notching his 1st goal of the season, Stewart has tallied a point in 4 of his last 5 games, putting him in a tie for the team lead in goals with 3. With a goal and assist over the weekend, Stewart earned honorable mention NAHL Player of the Week.
Manning The Blue Line:
Fletcher Fineman: Fineman was his usual self on Friday’s 2-1 win. He was moving the puck, getting on the score sheet with an assist on the game-winner and sacrificing his body to ensure a Springfield victory. The 18-year old defenseman took a stick to the face when diving to block a puck at the end of Friday’s game, causing him to miss Saturday’s contest. However, he is back practicing with the team and should be good to go for Thursday’s game in Minnesota.
Between The Pipes:
Evan Fear: Springfield fans saw a familiar face skate out with the team this past weekend. After being traded last year to the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints, goaltender Evan Fear is back for his second stint in Springfield. The last time Fear wore the shield on his chest, he helped Springfield sweep their Alaska road trip and was named NAHL Player of the Week. Although Juraj Ovecka has been phenomenal in goal for Springfield (2.20 GAA & .938 SV %), expect Fear to see the net sometime this weekend with 3 games in 3 days.
