The visiting Kenai River Brown Bears lost their 15th straight game, falling 4-0 to the Springfield (Illinois) Jr. Blues on Friday in North American Hockey League play.
“We’re not playing as hard as what we should,” Kenai River head coach Jeff Worlton said. “We’ve got to be better, and that’s the bottom line.”
The Bears fall to 3-46-3 on the season, while Springfield moves to 26-19-6 and leads the Coulee Region (Wisconsin) Chill by three points for the final playoff slot out of the Midwest Divison. The Bears and Blues play at 4:05 p.m. AST today.
Worlton said the Bears had some inconveniences happen on the road trip, and his team took those built-in excuses and ran with them.
“Losers make excuses. Winners find a way to get it done,” Worlton said. “Excuses are not something I have time for. The players have to come to work every day, and that’s something we’re trying to teach.”
The final shot count was ugly, with Springfield winning the first 15-2, the second 17-0 and getting edged in the third 9-7 en route to a 39-11 advantage.
Worlton said the official shot count for his club in the first two periods was not accurate.
Brady Tomiak scored for the Blues in the first period, then Springfield led 3-0 after two when Brennan Blaszczak and Tomiak scored, with Tomiak’s coming on the power play.
A power-play tally in the third period by Josh Bell finished off the Bears.
Kenai River goalie Magnus Lindhe continued a solid string of play for the Bears by making 39 shots on 35 saves. Worlton said none of the goals were Lindhe’s fault.
Lindhe came with Worlton from the Tier III Breezy Point (Minnesota) North Stars and has been proving he can play in the Tier II NAHL.
“The thing that makes him do well, I’m not saying he’s the best technical goalie, but he just competes, works very hard and he’s passionate about winning,” Worlton said. “He takes losses personal.”
Friday
Jr. Blues 4, Brown Bears 0
Kenai River000—0
Springfield121—4
First period — 1. Springfield, Tomiak (Skinner), 10:45. Penalties — Kenai River 1 for 2:00; Springfield 1 for 2:00.
Second period — 2. Springfield, Blaszczak (Long, Meeh), 6:10; 3. Springfield, Tomiak (Fear, Balszczak), pp, 10:20. Penalties — Kenai River 5 for 21:00; Springfield 4 for 19:00.
Third period — 4. Springfield, Bell (Long, Meeh), pp, 10:13. Penalties — Kenai River 1 for 2:00; Springfield 1 for 2:00.
Shots on goal — Kenai River 2-0-9—11; Springfield 15-17-7—39.
Goalies — Kenai River, Lindhe (39 shots, 35 saves); Springfield, Nappier (11 shots, 11 saves).
Power plays — Kenai River 0 for 4; Springfield 2 for 5.
