Thomas Hurster Memorial Cup Tournament

Larry Kopecky (A), CSHL President Mr. Jim Rufo, Jim Jost (C) and Pete Wildhaber (A) after winning the Thomas Hurster Memorial Cup.

St. Louis Jr. Blues posing with the League Championship Trophy, the CSHL Hurster Cup traveling trophy and Hurster Cup Championship Trophy.

Jr. Blues Win The Hurster Cup Again!

The Jr. Blues loaded the bus last Wednesday with the traveling Hurster Cup trophy aboard.  The team made a vow to bring the Cup back to St. Louis and return it to the Jr. Blues Trophy Case. 

Things did not start smoothly for the Jr. Blues.  Two shifts into their first game against the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks, the Jr. Blues lost two key players.  Captain Jim Jost had a muscle pull and saw only limited play, and Joey Vitale was stricken ill and could not return.  The shortened bench made do as the Jr. Blues took a 2-0 lead on two goals by Branden Moran.  Moran was assisted on both goals by Tony Jost and Mike Davies.  The Jr. Blues scored the only goal of the second period as "Krazy" Kyle Kraemer scored with Kyle Rickermann notching an assist on the play. 

The Jr. Lumberjacks scored the only goal of the third period as the Jr. Blues won the game 3-1.  Devan McConnell was tremendous in goal as the Jr. Blues were outshot 36-28.

Game two against the Jr. Blues arch rival, Peoria Mustangs started poorly.  The Jr. Blues seemed sluggish without their top center Joey Vitale as the hungry Mustangs scored first.  Larry Kopecky tied the score on a quick shot from the slot.  Then the Mustangs scored two late first period goals to take a 3-1 lead.  After the scoreless second period, Peoria took a commanding 3 goal lead.  Pete Wildhaber narrowed the gap with a power play shot but Peoria scored with 3 seconds remaining to beat the Jr. Blues 5-2.  Derek Szesny was tested often as the Jr. Blues were outshot 33-23.

At this point the Jr. Blues needed a win against the Motor City Chiefs to advance to the CSHL Hurster Cup Championship Game.  The Jr. Blues still without the ill Vitale, started quick.  Larry Kopecky scored off of a Ken Jacobsmeyer rebound just 2 minutes into the game.  The Jr. Blues dominated play for most of the rest of the period but where unable to score.  Early in the second period, Motor City tied the score on a power play.  The Jr. Blues kept working and it was the tremendous work of Zach Barron that set up Cory Spradling for the lead goal.  Barron dug the puck on the forecheck and hit Spradling cutting to the net as he backhanded the pass for the goal.  Moments later Larry Kopecky hit a driving Jim Jost who scored to give the Jr. Blues a 3-1 lead after two periods.  Michael Davies showed why he led the entire CSHL in scoring as he converted a breakaway for an early third period 4-1 lead.  The Jr. Blues had the game in control but a never say die Motor City scored two goals within 40 seconds with just 3 minutes remaining to cut the Jr. Blues lead to 4-3.  Derek Szesny then made a spectacular save as the Jr. Blues held on to advance to the Championship game.  Szesny saw 17 shots in the third as he made 29 saves on 32 shots. 

The Hurster Cup Championship Game promised to be a barn burner.  The two teams had faced each other 4 times in the regular season with each team winning 2 games.  In the round robin play of the Hurster Cup, Peoria gave the Jr. Blues their only defeat.  Of course, the two have been neck in neck all season with the Jr. Blues winning the league by a scant 2 points 86-84. 

With all the hype of this Championship game, it was quickly noted that Joey Vitale, who had been sorely missed in the previous 3 Hurster Cup games and in fact had missed the previous 3 games in which the Jr. Blues faced the Mustangs, was back in the line up.  Vitale made his presence felt with numerous big hits in the first period.  Peoria though, scored first just 7 minutes into the game.  Mike Davies tied the score five minutes later.  On the goal, Pete Wildhaber fired a shot from the point and Tony Jost outworked the Peoria defense for the rebound and slid a perfect pass to Davies who had nothing but net to deposit the puck.  

The second period had great scoring chances by both teams.  Jr. Blues goaltender Devan McConnell made it look easy as the period was scoreless.  In the third period the Jr. Blues took the play to them.  Three breakaways without a goal frustrated the Jr. Blues but they continued a flawless defensive game.  The period ended, the ice was scraped and it was off to overtime.

The Mustangs had the first two scoring chances in OT.  The first was saved by McConnell who made a great stop on a back door chance.  Then Chris Koenen saved the day as he poked the puck off the stick of a Mustang forward during a scramble that looked to be a certain goal over the sprawling McConnell.  Then the Jr. Blues took a penalty and seemed to be in serious trouble.  But the great penalty kill by the Jr. Blues changed the momentum.  Kyle Kraemer snapped a shot that just deflected off the Peoria goaltender.  Then Larry Kopecky blasted a shot that beat the goaltender but missed the net by an inch.  Another mad scramble by Zach Barron and Cory Spradling almost got the winner but no luck.  Then a neutral ice battle on the boards was won by Kyle Rickermann who pushed it ahead to Kyle Kraemer.  Kraemer went wide and cycled the puck behind the net to Kyle O'Kane.  O'Kane quickly passed the puck back to the point for Mike Hewkin.  Hewkin one-timed a rocket of a shot that picked the far top corner to send the Jr. Blues into a memorable celebration.  Hewkin was mobbed by jubilant teammates as they piled on the Jr. Blues hero.  Goaltender Devan McConnell sprinted from the far end launching on the pile.  McConnell had shut out the Mustangs for over 62 minutes to give the Jr. Blues a chance to win the Hurster Cup.  McConnell had 38 saves in the contest.

Winning the CSHL Regular Season and the Hurster Cup has undeniably given the Jr. Blues bragging rights for the CSHL.  The Jr. Blues now head to Syracuse, New York to play in the U.S. Junior B National Championships.  The ride is a familiar one for seven veterans who lost the National Championship Game to the Phoenix Polar Bears 1-0.  The Jr. Blues left the Grand Rapids Southside Community Center with more than the Hurster Cup in their bus.  The left the Southside Community Center with a look in their eyes.  "Two Championships down, one to go!" was the last thing heard from their Captain Jim Jost as he left the ice with the Hurster Cup in hand. 

Hurster Cup Scoring:

Mike Davies  2 goals, 3 assists
Larry Kopecky 2 goals, 1 assist
Tony Jost   3 assists
Branden Moran  2 goals
Pete Wildhaber 1 goal, 1 assist
Jim Jost 1 goal, 1 assist
Kyle Kraemer  1 goal, 1 assist
Cory Spradling 1 goal
Mike Hewkin 1 goal
Zach Barron 1 assist
Kyle O'Kane 1 assist
Jason Devine 1 assist
Kyle Rickermann 1 assist
Ken Jacobsmeyer 1 assist

Devan McConnell made 73 saves on 75 shots
Derek Szesny made 57 saves on 65 shots

March 19th vs. Flint Jr. Generals

Michael Davies scores two and adds an assist in the Jr. Blues playoff victory.

Jr. Blues Win Playoff Opener

The Jr. Blues showed the Flint Jr. Generals right away they were not going to take this weekend off.  The Jr. Blues pelted the Flint goaltender for 25 first period shots.  The amazing goaltending of the Flint stopper kept the Jr. Blues at bay.  Flint struck first blood scoring with 6 minutes remaining in the period.  Cory Spradling was the only Jr. Blue who could solve the hot goaltender as he blasted a shot from the blue line to tie the score late in the first period.

The Jr. Blues then got their power play going, scoring three power play goals.  Kyle Kraemer scored early in the second.  Then Micheal Davies one-timed a perfect Tony Jost pass in stride on a two-on-one.  In the third period, Joe Vitale used a power move from the corner to beat the defense and goaltender.  Later in the period, Davies scored again on a nifty set up by Branden Moran to give the Jr. Blues the 5-1 win.  Devan McConnell made numerous good saves to keep the Jr. Generals from mounting a comeback.

Flint 1-0-0-1
St. Louis 1-2-2-5

Shots:
Flint 4-10-10-24
St. Louis 25-14-8-47

Scoring:
Michael Davies 2 goals, 1 assist
Tony Jost 2 assists
Branden Moran 2 assists
Cory Spradling 1 goal
Kyle Kraemer 1 goal
Joey Vitale 1 goal
Larry Kopecky 1 assist
Pete Wildhaber 1 assist

Devan McConnell made 23 saves on 24 shots.

March 20th vs. Flint Jr. Generals

Kyle O'Kane's goal and assist helps Jr. Blues top the Jr. Generals.

Jr. Blues Sweep Flint, Head to Hurster Cup!

The Jr. Blues made quick work of the Jr. Generals scoring two goals on their first two shots.  Joey Vitale started the game with a goal off of a Jim Jost feed just 22 seconds into the contest.  Then less two minutes in, Shawn Gawrys scored a power play goal and the Jr. Blues had all they needed to prevail.  In the second period, Kyle Kraemer scored on a second opportunity off of a Kyle O'Kane feed.  Then the Jr. Generals scored a shorthanded goal as a Jr. Blue defender lost an edge and fell down.  But the power play was not over and Kyle O'Kane sniped the shot of the weekend to quickly quiet the Jr. Generals.  The third period was a smart one for the home squad as they ran the clock.  Derek Szesny was strong in net for the Jr. Blues, holding them to one goal on 29 shots.  The Jr. Blues now head to Grand Rapids to play in the CSHL final four. 

Flint 0-1-0-1
St. Louis 2-2-0-4

Shots:
Flint 9-12-8-29
St. Louis 10-12-7-29

Scoring:
Kyle O'Kane 1 goal, 1 assist
Kyle Kraemer 1 goal, 1 assist
Joey Vitale 1 goal
Shawn Gawrys 1 goal
Jim Jost 1 assist
Larry Kopecky 1 assist
Mike Hewkin 1 assist

Derek Szesny made 28 saves on 29 shots

Derek Szesny was stellar in nets as the Jr. Blues were outshot 28-22.

Jr. Blues Escape With 4-1 Victory
Over Jr. Owls

In a game pitting the two hottest teams in the CSHL, the Jr. Blues came up with the goals and saves needed for the win.  The Jr. Owls scored the first goal on a power play.  Both teams played well in the period.  Michael Davies converted a Branden Moran rebound with just 38 seconds remaining in the period to tie the game.  The Jr. Blues played strong, but the highlight of the period was several great saves by Derek Szesny.  Branden Moran picked up a loose puck off a Michael Davies rebound and sniped a perfect shot to give the Jr. Blues the lead.  A great hustling play by Joey Vitale set up the next Jr. Blues goal.  Vitale stole the puck off a dump in and hit Jim Jost all alone in front.  The captain converted the pass and the Jr. Blues held a 3-1 lead after two periods.  The third period was tense, but the Jr. Blues played a smart defensive period.  Kyle O'Kane deposited a perfect Shawn Gawrys pass to score the only goal of the period giving the Jr. Blues the win.  The win clinched at least a tie for the top spot in the CSHL. 

Grand Rapids 1-0-0-1
St. Louis 1-2-1-4

Shots:
Grand Rapids 9-9-10-28
St. Louis 9-8-5-22

Scoring:

Michael Davies 1 goal, 1 assist
Branden Moran 1 goal, 1 assist
Jim Jost 1 goal
Kyle O'Kane 1 goal
Joey Vitale 1 assist
Mike Keeven 1 assist
Shawn Gawrys 1 assist
Kyle O'Kane 1 assist

Derek Szesny made 27 saves on 28 shots.

Mike Hewkin's first CSHL goal was icing on the cake in the Jr. Blues league clinching win.

Jr. Blues Beat Jr. Owls, Win CSHL Title!

The Jr. Blues needed just a tie to clinch the CSHL title.  But the home team wanted to win it in style.  Joey Vitale started it for the Jr. Blues.  Jim Jost flipped a pass over the sprawled Jr. Owl defender towards Vitale.  Vitale swatted the puck out of midair into the net for the first goal of the game.  The Jr. Owls needing a tie to get a better playoff seed tied the score moments later.  Then Shawn Gawrys dazzled the crowd with a spectacular move around a defender and a perfect snipe for a power play goal.  Just moments later, the Jr. Owls wouldn't go away and tied the score.  But just 30 seconds later, Gawrys hit Kyle Kraemer with a spectacular pass as Kraemer one timed the puck for a 3-2 lead. 

The second period, the Jr. Blues showed their domination scoring four goals.  Kyle Kraemer scored on a power play as Pete Wildhaber hit Kraemer in the seam.  Kraemer calmly moved to the slot and sniped a shot over the glove of the goaltender.  The O'Kane, Kraemer, Gawrys line tallied again, this time Kyle O'Kane sniped a shot on a 3 on 2 rush off a Kyle Kraemer feed.  Then, Mike Hewkin scored his first CSHL goal on a blast from the point off a Joey Vitale face-off win.  Just seconds later Kyle Rickermann made a pinpoint pass to Larry Kopecky as he scored on a quick shot off a rush. 

The third period was just for fun, the Jr. Blues certainly couldn't wait to end the game.  But before it was over Michael Davies scored his 40th goal of the season to give the Jr. Blues their 8th goal. The Jr. Owls scored in the final seconds to make it an 8-3 final but the celebrating had already begun.  The Jr. Blues needed to win their last 14 games to win the CSHL by a small 2 points over the Peoria Mustangs.  The CSHL Championship gives the Jr. Blues a birth in the USA National Championships in Syracuse NY.  The Jr. Blues start their defense of the Hurster Cup next weekend in the first round of playoffs at home vs. the Flint Jr. Generals. 

Grand Rapids 2-0-1-3
St. Louis 3-4-1-8

Shots:
Grand Rapids 6-7-13-26
St. Louis 12-12-11-35

Scoring:
Kyle Kraemer 2 goals, 1 assist
Shawn Gawrys 1 goal, 2 assists
Larry Kopecky 1 goal, 2 assists
Kyle O'Kane 1 goal, 1 assist
Joey Vitale 1 goal, 1 assist
Pete Wildhaber 2 assists
Mike Hewkin 1 goal
Mike Davies 1 goal
Jim Jost 1 assist
Kyle Rickermann 1 assist
Branden Moran 1 assist

Devan McConnell made 23 saves on 26 shots.

Tony Jost's hat-trick leads the Jr. Blues over the Ice Dogs.

11-0 Route over Ice Dogs Keep the Jr. Blues on Pace!

The Jr. Blues hold a slim 2 point lead over the Peoria Mustangs.  The Jr. Blues were relentless against the Ice Dogs as they ran the score to 11-0.  The goal differential might become important if the Jr. Blues and the Peoria Mustangs tie for first place.  Goal differential for the entire season would be the tiebreaker because the Jr. Blues and the Mustangs are even in the first two tiebreakers.  So barrage for the Jr. Blues proved to be important as they push towards the CSHL title and a berth in the National Championships. 

The Jr. Blues were led by Tony Jost who had three goals and Larry Kopecky who had 2 goals and 2 assists.  The Jr. Blues scored three in the first period, three in the second and five in the third period.  The Jr. Blues outshot Michigan 57-16.  Devan McConnell recorded his fourth shutout of the season making 16 saves.

St. Louis 3-3-5-11
Michigan  0-0-0-0

Shots:
St. Louis 15-27-15-57
Michigan 6-7-3-16

Scoring:

Larry Kopecky 2 goals, 2 assists
Tony Jost 3 goals
Kyle O'Kane 2 goals, 1 assist
Shawn Gawrys 1 goal, 2 assists
Kyle Kraemer 1 goal, 2 assists
Jim Jost 1 goal, 2 assists
Michael Davies  3 assists
Joey Vitale  1 goal, 1 assist
Cory Spradling 2 assists
Jason Devine 1 assist
Mike Keeven 1 assist

March 7th VS. Motor City Chiefs

Two third period breakaway goals by Kyle Kraemer buries the Chiefs.

Jr. Blues Speed Dominates Chiefs

A well contested game that was definitely in doubt throughout much of the match.  The Jr. Blues scored the only goal of the first period as Kyle O'Kane converted his own rebound off a Kyle Kraemer feed.  The Jr. Blues scored the only goal of the second period as Kyle Rickermann blasted a power play shot off the post and in.  Tony Jost and Michael Davies assisted on the goal. 

Holding only a two goal lead starting the third period, the game was definitely hanging in the balance.  Kyle Kraemer took a Kyle Rickermann breakout pass and turned on the jets beating the Motor City defense and sniping a perfect shot on the break-in.  The Chiefs moments later cut the lead to 3-1.  It was Kraemer again who dashed any Motor City come back as he stole the puck in the defensive zone and used his speed again.  This time he picked a different corner on his breakaway as the goal sealed the game for the Jr. Blues.  Branden Moran scored on a tremendous effort on a shorthanded goal as he scored on his 4th rebound.    Cory Spradling finished the scoring as his ripped a shot in the slot off a Zach Barron feed.  Derek Szesny was strong in nets allowing only one goal.


St. Louis 1-1-4-6
Motor City 0-0-1-1

Scoring:

Kyle Kraemer 2 goals, 1 assist
Kyle Rickermann 1 goal, 1 assist
Kyle O'Kane 1 goal
Branden Moran 1 goal
Cory Spradling 1 goal
Tony Jost 1 assist
Mike Davies 1 assist
Zach Barron 1 assist

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