The Janesville Bluebirds played a Big Eight matchup with the Beloit Purple Knights, who under first year Head Coach Kurt Buchs look to show their neighbor to the North they are up and coming.

  Just not quite yet, as the Bluebirds left Edwards Ice Arena with a 3-1 win Saturday night.

  Janesville looked to get going early and appeared to score about 1 minute into the game. The Bluebird bench erupted when the puck was shot to the net and appeared to hit in the corner inside the post and come back out. Janesville started to celebrate then realized that no goal was the call. When given an explanation when play stopped really didnt sit well.

  After a scoreless first period Janesville did score in the first minute of the second period short handed. Forward Connor Perkins scooped up the puck and shot it upper corner on Brennan Bescup (28saves) from the right circle for the 1-0 lead.

  Beloit did respond about 5 minutes later in the Janesville zone the Knights were able to get the puck to the right point. Nate Polglaze was able to shoot the puck thru traffic on net and past goalie Jesse Heisz(16 saves) for a 1-1 tie.

  Janesville spent time on 3 occasions in the penalty box, but when they got to full strength, Harry Henschler scored after his teammates spent time in the offensive zone.He caught the pass from Sam Iverson and zinged it past Bescup for a 2-1 lead after 2 periods. Beloit worked hard trying to get the game tied, but Janesville closed out the scoring on the power play when Jack McDougall was left wide open in front and scored to make it 3-1.

  "Janesville has some horses and right now, we're struggling with our depth", said Beloit coach Kurt Buchs. "We fell back into some bad habits and lost a top line guy to injury".

  "We are a young team and still have some inconsistencies".

Beloit continues in Big Eight play Tuesday night at Madison Memorial, while Janesville hosts Middleton that same night.