CHICAGO, Ill. – The Metro Jets and MJDP teams faltered a bit Friday at the USPHL Chicago Showcase, with the lone win coming in the Jets’ second game of the day.
Ryan Messing’s hat trick with an assist lifted the Jets to a 6-0 shutout over the Fort Wayne Spacemen at the Leafs Ice Centre, backing Daniel Miscavish’s 14-save effort in goal.
“Tonight was a complete game,” said Jets associate head coach Jamie Lovell. “We played with a lot of pace, and we were really pleased with how we managed the puck.
“We need to continue to build on that and take it into tomorrow’s final game before the break. It’s easy to get caught looking ahead to the holiday break but we still have a job to do against a tough quality opponent.”
Cristian Adragna (pictured below) and Austin Ieuter each posted a goal and an assist, Jets captain Cody Mastay also scored, and Herman Ahokas, Alex Schaumburger and Braydin Lewis all chipped in two assists apiece.
Starting off the day at Fifth Third Arena downtown, the Jets suffered a 4-3 overtime loss to the Minnesota Moose.
Dakota Kott, Patrick Hays (pictured front), also playing in his 100th career USPHL game, and Lewis scored, Chad Noetzel tacked on two assists, and Louis-Pierre Fortier made 20 saves in the defeat.
“It’s too bad we let a point slip away,” said Lovell. “I thought we carried the play for most of the game, but we can’t let teams hang around and give them life. Anything can happen in 3-on-3 OT, and we should not have let the game get to that point.”
Also Friday afternoon at Fifth Third Arena, the Toledo Cherokee downed the MJDP 6-1.
Stone Bishop scored the lone goal, while Freddy Soderberg finished with 32 saves in goal.
Later Friday at the Leafs Ice Centre, the Northern Colorado Eagles defeated the MJDP 3-1.
Tommy Purton spoiled the shutout late in the third period, and Ethan Ryan turned aside 35 shots in net.
Both teams conclude the showcase Saturday with the Jets playing the Steele County Blades at 4:30 p.m. Central and the MJDP skating with the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings at 1:30 p.m.
All showcase games are available on HockeyTV.com.
