Who: Minnesota Wilderness vs. Springfield Jr. Blues
When: Feb. 16, 7:05 p.m.; Feb, 17, 6:05 p.m.
Where: Nelson Center, Springfield, IL
The lead: After sweeping Kenai River last weekend, the Wilderness seeks to build on its momentum vs. the Jr. Blues in Springfield.
Media: All of the action can be seen on nahltv.com.
Records: Springfield – 41 games, 14-21-6, 34 points; Minnesota – 44 games, 24-16-4, points
Midwest Division Standings:
| Place | Team | Points | Games Played | This weekend’s opponent |
| 1 | Wisconsin | 63 | 44 | 2 games @ Janesville |
| 2 | Janesville | 55 | 42 | 2 games vs. Wisconsin |
| 3 | Wilderness | 52 | 44 | 2 games @ Springfield |
| 4 | Anchorage | 50 | 40 | Home/home vs. Kenai River |
| 5 | Chippewa | 49 | 44 | 2 games @ Fairbanks |
| 6 | Springfield | 34 | 41 | 2 games vs. Wilderness |
| 7 | Fairbanks | 32 | 42 | 2 games vs. Chippewa |
| 8 | Kenai River | 29 | 43 | Home/home vs. Anchorage |
Last Weekend:
- Springfield did not play Feb. 9-10. It’s last weekend of action was Feb. 2-3 at Janesville where the Jets won both games, 4-3 (OT) and 7-2.
- The Wilderness earned four points in its home weekend series vs. Kenai River, 3-0 and 3-2 (OT).
Birthdays: Springfield – Isaac Keller, 2/16 (21); Wilderness — Brandt Dubey, 2/12 (18); Logan Nagle, 2/18 (19)
Season series: The Wilderness and Springfield met twice previously this season with both games at Proctor’s St. Luke’s Sports and Events Center. On Sept. 29-30, Minnesota swept Springfield by identical scores of 4-3, with Saturday night’s contest finishing in overtime.
Tale of the tape:
| Team | GF | GA | PP | PK | PIMs |
| Wilderness | 115 | 118 | 19.3% | 86.4% | 550 |
| Springfield | 111 | 154 | 13.3% | 79.5% | 594 |
Source: nahl.com
Newbie’s Background: Four players suited up in a Wilderness uniform for the first time in their careers last weekend.
| Player/position | Hometown | Former Team | DOB | Jr. Hockey Experience |
| Kole Altergott/F | Green Bay, WI | Fairbanks | 6/10/03 | 2nd season |
| Nick Blood/F | Minnestrista, MN | Fairbanks | 12/11/03 | 3rd season |
| Matt Haun/D | Rochester, MN | Rochester (NA3HL)* | 7/23/04 | 2nd season |
| Joe Manning/D | Stillwater, MN | Kenai River | 6/24/03 | 3rd season |
| Nate Murray/F | Fowlerville, MI | Madison (USHL) | 2/29/05 | 2nd season |
*Haun is expected to return to the Rochester Grizzlies later this season.
Newbie’s Debut: The newly-acquired players combined for seven points in the weekend sweep of Kenai River. In Friday’s 3-0 victory, Nick Blood scored the game’s second goal, which was assisted by Nate Murray. In Saturday’s 3-2 overtime win, Blood posted the game’s first goal, while Murray tied the game with a third period tally that was assisted by Blood and Joe Manning. Murray then went on to score the game-winner in extra time.
Special Teams Surge: The Wilderness special teams stepped up last weekend vs. Kenai River. Minnesota combined for three special teams goals, and held the Brown Bears off the scoreboard in all special teams situations. It began with Friday night when Nick Blood scored short-handed—just the 2nd SHG the Wilderness has scored all season. It continued Saturday when Blood notched a power-play marker in the first period, and Murray fired in a PPG in OT. Meanwhile, the Wilderness penalty kill kept the Brown Bears scoreless in 7 opportunities.
Hudak Attack: Springfield’s Hadley Hudak turned his season around beginning Dec. 8 and has not looked back since. The 20-year-old veteran from Canton, MI, only posted two assists in the game on 12/8, but since then, Hudak has been held scoreless in only two games. Over the last 16 contests, Hudak has recorded 12 goals and 10 assists for 22 points. This includes a 12-game point streak that ran from Dec. 12 to Feb. 2. In 40 games this season, Hudak leads the Jr. Blues with 31 points (15 goals, 16 assists).