The Springfield Jr. Blues took on the second-place Janesville Jets last night at Nelson Center in Springfield. An overtime power play goal by Ben Kramer sealed the win for the Jr. Blues. Since the first of the year the Jr. Blues were on a tear through the league, but it was only barely enough to overcome their early-season woes and back themselves into the NAHL Playoffs. The boys have worked really hard this year.

Kramer's overtime goal was a thing of beauty. Kyle Cook drove the puck into Janesville's zone surrounded by all three of the Jets' players. Pijus Rulevicius was sent to the penalty box at 4:15 of overtime for cross-checking, givng the Jr. Blues enough space to do their thing. Cook set up for a drop pass to Josef Pontasch and Pontasch dragged the puck to goalie Tony Kujava's left. Kujava followed the puck and and Pontasch fired the puck... right over to defenseman Ben Kramer who fired into a wide-open net. Janesville fell for it hook, line, and sinker and the Jr. Blues notched another win over .500.

The boys have a big homestand ahead of them: two more games against Janesville and two games against the first-place St. Louis Bandits next weekend. Their regular season ends where it began, at the Chesterfield IcePlex against the Bandits on the 30th & 31st.

Attendance for last night was a measly 402. Four straight weekends of away games really kills the enthusiasm of fans and often leads the casual fans to forget. Hopefully tonight will be better.

State Journal-Register recap

Tonight's game is once again at Nelson Center. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for kids and it's Fan Appreciation Night, so food and beer should be cheap. The game starts at 7pm.