 |
| (**Photo Credits go to Joni Coons**) |
After finishing the opening month of the season in September with just one win in eight contests, both Matt Leon and Ryan Kellenberger have done a great job at gaining some much needed confidence. Both have been shutting opponents down in clutch situations when the team needed them to do so to have a chance in some of the recent wins the team has come through to pull off.
Leon, who is the teams game one starter every weekend, is 6-3-2 so far for the season. In eleven starts, Matt has allowed 29 goals while making 343 saves. In 672 minutes between the pipes, the 20 year old from Charlotte, North Carolina has a 2.59 goals against average and a save percentage of 92.2.
He started out the season losing five out of his first six starts, but since his last loss on October 5th at Jamestown, Leon has won five straight starts and hasn't allowed more than three goals in one game since late September. Most impressively about his recent stretch of success, he has defeated all North division opponents during his five game winning streak--which is a huge reason why Springfield is beginning to make a run with other teams in the North.
Kellenberger, the 18 year old from Los Altos, California, has also been pretty impressive as the teams second game goalie this season--especially considering the kid is in his first season in the North American Hockey League.
He has made nine starts so far this season and seems to be getting better and better while gaining more confidence through every start he has made so far. Despite him only having a 3-6-0 record, he has won three out of his last five starts after starting out 0-4. He lost his last start against Soo as he allowed five goals in the game, but before that has won two in a row and three out of his previous four starts.
 |
| (**Photo Credits go to Joni Coons**) |
During head coach Tony Zaoswki's first season as head coach in Springfield for the Jr. Blues, the season didn't start out as the young squad had hoped for--but they are certainly doing putting in their best effort to turn things around here. After a 1-6-1 start in the opening month, the team has done a great job at getting themselves back into the thick of things.
Following a weekend split inside the Nelson Center against the North divisions' second place Soo Eagles, the Jr. Blues currently have an overall record of 9-9-2 and 20 points. They have been clawing their way back into the thick of things, and with one-third of the season over with, they are in prime position to make a lot of noise with still 40 games remaining.
This seasons team is led by a great coach with a very impressive track record. With as much young talent as this team has on it, if the goalie tandem of Leon and Kellenberger can stay healthy and keep up with the recent success, the Jr. Blues cieling for this season alone is through the roof. Although it is all speculation at the moment, just know that anything is possible for what this young squad can do.
No comments:
Post a Comment