The Springfield Jr. Blues scored a late third period goal and managed to hang on to beat the Minnesota Wilderness Friday night, 4-2.
Brian Robertson’s marker with 5:49 left in regulation broke a 1-1 tie. After the Wilderness pulled goaltender Nick Erickson for an extra attacker with 2:29 left, the Jr. Blues made it 3-1 when Niko Laus scored on the empty net just eight seconds later.
That tally turned out to be crucial, as the Wilderness continued to attack with the goaltender pulled, which led to Beau Janzig scoring to make it 3-2 with 1:23 left on the clock. Janzig’s goal, his second of the season, was assisted by Payton Nelson and Aiden Shirey.
That was as far as Minnesota’s comeback would go. Springfield added one more empty-netter from Landry Schmuck with four seconds left to seal the victory.
Springfield (15-21-6) never trailed in the game. It opened the scoring when Anthony Rucklic lit the lamp with 5:32 remaining in the 2nd period as the teams skated 4-on-4.
The Wilderness (24-17-4) responded when Daniel Astopovich notched his 11th of the season just over four minutes later. Janzig set up the goal when he cycled the puck behind the Jr. Blues net and, from the bottom of the left circle, sent the puck to Astopovich all alone in the right circle, where he cashed in with a top-shelf shot. Alessandro Lurati also assisted on the tally.
Prior to Robertson’s marker to make it 2-1, the Wilderness had chances to get in front. Many of those were snuffed out thanks to Springfield goaltender J.J. Cataldo, who finished the game with 31 saves.
Minnesota outshot Springfield 33-27.
Erickson took the loss making 23 saves on 25 shots.
Neither team managed to have success on the power play with both squads getting five chances.
The second and final game of the weekend series will be Saturday night in Springfield at 6:05 p.m.