Springfield Junior Blues Home Openers dating back to 2004-2005

With the anticipation continuing to build leading up to tonight's home opener (against Kenai Rivers, 7:05pm) for the longest running franchise in the NAHL (North American Hockey League), the new-look Springfield Junior Blues are looking to improve on there recent struggles and build upon last season's home-opening win.

In the previous eight seasons' for Springfield dating back to the start of the 2004-2005 regular season, the Junior Blues are just 3-5 in there first regular season game at home inside the Nelson Center. Last season though, Chris Sitler led them to a 6-2 win over ex-division foe Coulee Region as he lit the "Nellie" scoring lamp up two times in front of a Springfield crowd of 638.


Here is a quick look at the Junior Blues' last eight home openers inside the Nelson Center for you to look at:

•  2011-2012 Home Opener: Springfield Junior Blues 6, Coulee Region 2 (WIN)----------Total Attendance: 638 Fans
•  2010-2011 Home Opener: Springfield Junior Blues 2, Saint Louis 4 (LOSS)----------Total Attendance: 600 Fans
•  2009-2010 Home Opener: Springfield Junior Blues 9, Janesville 3 (WIN)----------Total Attendance: 837 Fans
•  2008-2009 Home Opener: Springfield Junior Blues 3, Saint Louis 6 (LOSS)----------Total Attendance: 1,138 Fans
•  2007-2008 Home Opener: Springfield Junior Blues 2, Southern Minnesota 5 (LOSS)----------Total Attendance: 992 Fans
•  2006-2007 Home Opener: Springfield Junior Blues 5, Northern Iowa 3 (WIN)----------Total Attendance: 738 Fans
•  2005-2006 Home Opener: Springfield Junior Blues 1, Southern Minnesota 2 (LOSS)----------Total Attendance: 1,967 Fans
•  2004-2005 Home Opener: Springfield Junior Blues 3, Texas 5 (LOSS)----------Total Attendance: 1,081 Fans

As you can see, it seems like the attendance isn't much to what it used to be; but if there is one thing that i'm pretty sure of about this season, it is that the attendance will rapidly grow. With the team having a much more organized front office, and coaches and workers that want to get more fans involved; it should be an exciting season for all fans whether the team is winning or not (although winning does make the 'fun' even more fun).

Also, the team has many more well-known sponsors, added some features to the stadium and fixed up a few things that needed it for the game to feel more professional, and has brought in more items to sell around the stadium. Also, Quaker Stake and Lube will be the business running the concession stands, which should also have a much bigger and better selection of food, snacks, and alcohol beverages for everybody in attendance.

Tonight's game will mark the first of twenty-eight contests inside the Nelson Center and will be having the puck drop at 7:05 p.m. with the doors opening up approximately a half-an-hour to an hour before game time. This season marks the nineteenth in existence for Springfield, which makes them the longest-running franchise in the North American Hockey League. The Junior Blues and Brown Bears will play four games this season against each other; as they will play tonight and tomorrow inside the Nelson Center and then again on January 11th and 12th on the home ice of Kenai River.