Junior Blues First Half Review (T-Cobb)

Springfield Junior Blues: 9-13-1, 19 Points -- (Third Place in MidWest division)

The Springfield Jr. Blues have no reason to head into the Thanksgiving break with there heads bowed down--but actually, they should all head into the break with there heads raised high.

Despite the Jr. Blues having a losing record, and the fact that they have lost five of there final seven games to end the first half of the season, they ended it with a huge win on the road in Topeka--and climbed up to be tied for third place in the division--and with the much needed time off with the holiday break, anything has the possibility of happening in the second half.

The team has been being led by the likes of Kyle Cook, Chris Sitler, and Josef Pontasch this season, who through twenty-three games have combined to put up 60 points (27 goals, 43 assists), ultimately making themselves the "Big 3" so-to-speak around the Springfield area.

Also making some noise for the Blues is the twenty-year old Forward from Piano, Texas, Mike Williams. Williams, who stands in at 6'1, 205 pounds, has scored eight goals for the team--and added along five assists.

The Jr. Blues have had some goalie issues in the first half, but for the most part, all three goalies have had there moments' of glory. The three goalies' Tyler Parks, Connor Girard, and Caleb Neal have put up a solid nine wins combined, but have some down numbers throughout the first half. The three combined to allow 82 goals in twenty-three games and gave up a "Goal Against Average" of 3.67 while owning a .899 saves percentage. Both the likes of Parks' and Girard have four wins each thus far, and Girard has recently looked well as he as won two-of-three starts now and won his game 4-0 in Topeka, earning his first ever career shutout in the NAHL.

Springfield is currently 4-7-1 at home on the season and will open up the second half at the Nelson Center on December 2nd against St. Louis--which will begin a stand where the Blues will play at the Nelson Center for six of the first seven to open up following break.

On the road this season, the Blues are 5-6-0 overall. The team has allowed eighty-two goals altogether while they have only scored eighty-nine. The team also leads the MidWest division in penalty minutes with 484 overall.

While the first half wasn't exactly the best from these Jr. Blues, it most definetely could change. This team has the talent to make a lot of noise--but will the heart be there? The will? The desire? How bad these young talented stars for Springfield will determine everything over the next couple months, and for that matter, only they can tell the tale.