Two Games -- Friday, November 9th and Saturday, November 10th
Both games inside the Nelson Center; will drop the puck at 7:05 pm
Season Series (4 Head-to-Head in 2012-2013)
Game 1-Friday, November 9th -- 7:05 p.m. (Nelson Center)
Game 2-Saturday, November 10th -- 7:05 p.m. (Nelson Center)
Game 3-Friday, February 22nd -- 7:05 p.m. (Nelson Center)
Game 4-Saturday, February 23rd -- 7:05 p.m. (Nelson Center)
Last Weekend Results (Jr. Blues and Eagles)
-The Jr. Blues swept the Johnstown Tomahawks. (4-3 in OT; 6-4)
-The Soo Eagles swept the Janesville Jets (4-1, 1-0)
Big Story of the Weekend Series inside the Nelson Center
Looking at the schedule for this weekends' North American Hockey League game slate, the Nelson Center will be featuring a premiere matchup with both the Soo Eagles and the Jr. Blues. Both teams are two of the hottest teams in the league--and with it being a North-division matchup, it will be entertaining no matter which way it goes. The Jr. Blues enter the series with four straight wins; including a dramatic come-from-behind victory over Johnstown last Sunday after which they scored four goals in the final period to win 6-4 after trailing 4-2 entering the final twenty minutes.
The Soo Eagles are the same way, and at the moment, are one point behind Jamestown for the top spot in the division. Entering this two game weekend series, the Eagles have won five in a row; and six of their last seven. To make it all even more impressive, all of their previous five wins have come on the road. Last weekend the Eagles swept the Jets in Janesville with a 1-0 win on Friday night and followed it up with a 4-1 win on Saturday night.
Team Scope
Springfield Jr. Blues-Head coach Tony Zaowski and his Springfield Jr. Blues enter this weekend inside the Nelson Center with four wins in a row and are looking to add on to it. The team has swept their last two series' as they defeated the Johnstown Tomahawks 4-3 in overtime on Saturday night; and followed it up with a come from behind win on Sunday afternoon by a score of 6-to-4. The Jr. Blues have been carried by role players stepping up in clutch situations--and excellent performances from the men inbetween the pipes. Matt Leon, who will get the nod on Friday night, has won four straight starts which is huge considering he starts the first game of every series. In them four starts, Leon has allowed just nine goals on 138 shot attempts. Ryan Kellenberger, who is the second game starter, has won two starts in a row and is 3-5-0 in eight starts between the pipes for the season.
Soo Eagles-The Eagles enter this weekend with five consecutive wins in a row; as well as seven out of their last eight total. Entering the Nelson Center for the two games this weekend, the Eagles own an overall record of 7-2-2 away from home and haven't lost a road game since they traveled to Johnstown on October 19th when they lost the opener of the series 3-2 in shootouts. Soo is just one point behind Jamestown for first place in the North division, and will be heading home next weekend to face the NAHL's worst team' record-wise in Michigan. Winning one or even better, both games this weekend inside the Nelson Center, would make this more than an electric eight game road trip as they are currently 5-0-1 through six games.
Who is Hot (Both teams in last five games)
-The Springfield Jr. Blues: The team has won four straight games and will be looking to continue their home cooking as they are now inside the Nelson Center for four straight games. After having just 12 points just a few weeks ago, the team has won four straight has climbed up above Janesville and now currently have 18 points and are just two points behind Johnstown for fifth place in the North.
-The Soo Eagles: Want to know who is hot? The Springfield faithful inside the Nelson Center this weekend will be looking at them. Soo is currently one point behind Jamestown for first place in the North and have won five straight games (all on the road). The Eagles own a road record of 7-2-2 for the season with their last loss coming on October 19th at Johnstown in their series opener.
-Ryan Atkinson: Atkinson is currently tied for second on the team with five goals on the season. He scored four of them last weekend as he recorded a hat trick on Saturday night in the series opening win at Johnstown; including one just twelve seconds into the game, as well as the game-winning goal in overtime to end it. Then on Sunday, Ryan added one more in the opening period as he was named the NAHL's second star of the weekend.
-Mike Fazio: Fazio was an honorable mention for the "NAHL Stars of the Week" as he played a major role in the two wins for the Jr. Blues at Johnstown last weekend. In the two games, the Jr. Blues captain scored the game winning goal in the 6-4 victory on Sunday and finished with three points. Also, he is now second on the team in points with 15 (5 goals, 10 assists).
-Matt Leon: Leon has won four straight starts in a row and will be looking for a career-high on Friday night. In his last four starts, he has given up nine goals on 138 shot attempts and has a shutout mixed in it. He allowed three goals in three of the starts; and a shut out as well. On the season, Leon is currently 5-3-2 in ten starts.
Special Teams Comparison (through November 8th)
Springfield -- PP: 17.8% (10th in NAHL); PK: 84.5% (10th in NAHL)
Soo -- PP: 14.5% (15th in NAHL); PK: 90.1% (4th in NAHL)
The official series preview from the NAHL website. (click here).
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