St. Louis Jr. Blues vs. Milwaukee Power
VENUE: Wentzville Ice Arena, Wentzville, Mo.
TIMES: October 17 at 7:10 pm, October 18 at 1:50 pm (all times Central)
WHERE TO FOLLOW: All Jr. Blues games are streamed live on www.hockeytv.com (subscription required). Follow our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts for live updates.
THE RECAP: St. Louis enters the weekend still looking for their first win of the 2020-21 campaign, after being swept by the Rochester Grizzlies last weekend up in Minnesota. The 4-2 scoreline in both games wasn’t the only thing they had in common, either: in both games the Jr. Blues led 2-1 in the third period but were unable to hold onto that lead and conceded three goals without reply. Big performers from the series include Mike Deeba and Joey Solimando, who each scored one goal and one assist.
PACK THE WENTZ: As mentioned earlier this week, the Jr. Blues are permitting fans at both games this weekend. There is no limit on attendance, however facial coverings are mandatory and social distancing will be enforced. Admission is $6 for adults, with children under 10 or wearing a Missouri Hockey member club jersey getting in free. For more information, check out our FAQs for fans wanting to attend.
COMINGS AND GOINGS: The Jr. Blues made a few more roster changes this week, in addition to the debuts of forward Carson Kuche and blue-liner Jeff Stanton that we mentioned in this space last week. Riley Just, a former standout at Kirkwood High, made his Jr. Blues debut on Saturday at Rochester: the forward joins the club after playing junior hockey last year in Hudson, Wisconsin. Also this week, the Jr. Blues made a trade with the North Iowa Bulls, acquiring forward Jackson Henningsgard in exchange for future considerations. Henningsgard is from the town of Amery, Wisconsin, and was a four-year letterman for the Amery High Warriors: in his senior season he scored 27 goals and added 44 assists, all while also scoring 12 points (6 G, 6 A) in 16 games for a junior team in Blaine, Minnesota.
SCOUTING THE POWER: Milwaukee enters the weekend with some momentum, having picked up their first points of the year in a 4-3 shootout win at Peoria. Forward Trey Bess recorded a hat-trick in that game, which moved him to a tie for the team scoring lead with defenseman Mason Ausmus at 3 points: Ausmus has a goal and two assists. Between the pipes, new acquisition Jackson Broussard has played all three games for the Power and stopped 31 of 34 shots in the win over Peoria, as well as making two saves in the penalty shootout.
JUNIOR NOTES: Last year the Jr. Blues won the season series against Milwaukee 5-0-1; the two teams will meet eight times this year as part of the all-Central Division schedule…The Jr. Blues aren’t the only team having to find a temporary home this year; due to Milwaukee County regulations regarding indoor sports, the Power moved their entire home slate to the Ozaukee Ice Center in the suburb of Mequon, which is also notable as the home of Concordia University and Jr. Blues alum Sean Hofstetter.
