Jr. Blues Get Swept by Cherokee

 

The Jr. Blues looked lackluster and generally unimpressive in their 4-1 loss to Toledo.  The Cherokee outshot the Jr. Blues 39-32 as the Jr. Blues were 0-10 on the power play.  David Ulm redirected a Sam Davis shot in the closing seconds to break the shutout as Anthony Condellire assisted.  The weekend home sweep by the Cherokee was the first weekend sweep of the Jr. Blues since October of 2003.  The four game losing streak is the longest of the Jr. Blues since Coach Jack Behan took the reigns 10 seasons ago. 

 

GAME STATS

Zach Hamilton tied the game late in the second period with a power play goal but the Jr. Blues lost 4-2.

Jr. Blues Lose to Toledo Cherokee 4-2

 

Two quick goals in the first period sparked the Cherokee to a win over the Jr. Blues.  Chris Hutton cut the lead 2-1 with an unassisted goal for the Jr. Blues late in the first period.   With the Jr. Blues having a 5 on 3 power play, Zach Hamilton tied the score after receiving a perfect pass from Phil Blackwood, CJ Jung also assisted on the goal.  The Jr. Blues gave up a early short handed goal in the third period.  The Cherokee tacked another one on as the Jr. Blues fell 4-2.  The Jr. Blues lost despite out shooting the Cherokee 41-32.

 

GAME STATS

Jr. Blues Fall 7-4 to Motor City

 

With Phil Blackwood going on the ever expanding injury list of the Jr. Blues, the Motor City Chiefs took advantage of the undermanned St. Louis team.   After a Motor City goal, Grant Boyd blasted a shot on the power play to tie the score with CJ Jung assisting.  The Chiefs took a late period lead with an even strength goal.  Motor City extended their lead to 3-1 early in the second period.  Chuck Avery answered with an unassisted goal to make it 3-2.  Zach Hamilton tied the score with a quick shot on a rush with Jack Berger and Nick Garlik assisting.  The Chiefs would regain the lead once again with a late goal in the period.  The Chiefs then scored two quick goals to take a 6-3 lead.  Chris Hutton narrowed the score on the power play with CJ Jung assisting.  The Chiefs added an empty net goal to make the final 7-4.  The 2 losses on the road was the first weekend sweep against the Jr. Blues on the road since January of 2000. 

 

GAME STATS

Max Ozawa stops 31 in loss.

Jr. Blues Lose 2-1 at Michigan Ice Dogs

 

After a sluggish first half of the game in which the Michigan Ice Dogs built a 2-0 lead, the Jr. Blues fought their way back into the game.  Andrew Kurlandski made it 2-1 late in the second period as Andrew Clark sent Kurlandski and Phil Blackwood on a 2 on 1 break.  Kurlandski passing lane was blocked and he shot on the play.   The third period the Jr. Blues fired 19 shots on the Michigan net minder but couldn't solve him as the Jr. Blues fell 2-1.   Max Ozawa kept the Jr. Blues close making 31 saves on 33 shots.

 

GAME STATS

Jr. Blues Beat the Thunderbirds in a Shootout!

 

The Jr. Blues started the game very slowly being outshot 11-4 in the first period.  Goaltender Stuart Scott was very strong in net, keeping the Jr. Blues in the game.  The second period looked more like the Jr. Blues from the night before as they skated with purpose.  Chris Hutton sent Andrew Kurlandski on a 2 on 1 break with Phil Blackwood.  Kurlandski's passing lane was blocked so he made a quick shot just inside the post to tie the score.  The Jr. Blues continued to attack but then found some penalty trouble.  After killing off several penalties the Jr. Blues took the lead late in the period.  The play was started by Andrew Kurlandski skating into the zone going behind the net.  Kurlandski made a cycle to Phil Blackwood who made a quick backhand pass to Chris Hutton who buried the puck.  The Thunderbirds had much of the better play in the third period as they tied the score.  The game went to OT with the Jr. Blues hitting a goal post and a cross-bar but failing to score.  The game then went to a shootout with Chris Hutton scoring on the Jr. Blues 2nd shot.  The one goal is all Stuart Scott needed as he stopped all five Dubuque shooters.  Scott was terrific in net making 34 saves on 36 shots in the game, gained his 3rd win of the year. 

 

GAME STATS

Zach Hamilton scored the Jr. Blues only goal of the game.

Dubuque Defeats the Jr. Blues

The first place Dubuque Thunderbirds came to town with a perfect 9-0-0-0 record.  The Jr. Blues weren't intimidated though despite the Thunderbirds scoring early in the game on the power play.  The Jr. Blues were at times dominant in the first period having numerous scoring chances.  The Jr. Blues outshot the Thunderbirds 19-9 in the period but gave up a late goal and trailed 2-0.  The second period the two teams traded power play goals as the Thunderbirds maintained a 2 goal lead.  The Jr. Blues goal was scored by Zach Hamilton who was set up all alone in front by Phil Blackwood.  CJ Jung also assisted on the goal.  The third period was more domination by the Jr. Blues out shooting the Thunderbirds 10-5 but they couldn't solve the Dubuque goaltender.  The Jr. Blues outshot the Thunderbirds 40-23 but lost 3-1.