MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Andreas Fleutot’s breakaway goal with 18.1 seconds left in overtime gave him the hat trick and the Metro Jets a thrilling 6-5 win over the Toledo Cherokee Saturday night at Mount Clemens Ice Arena.
The Jets led 2-0 after the first two shifts of the first period and 4-1 after 20 minutes before Toledo came back.
“It was a big win for us,” said Fleutot. “We lost last night, so everybody had to step up today, and that’s what we did. We found a way to win the game.
“(The OT winner) started with Danny (Miscavish) when he made a save on the 3-on-2 and then Dakota (Kott) passed me the puck. I give credit to both of those guys, honestly. I made a move, (Toledo goalie Joey) Cormier didn’t bite, so I went to the other side and finished it. It was pretty awesome.”
Fleutot scored twice in the first period with goals also coming from Kam Hellman and Chad Noetzel only to have Toledo score the next four to see the two teams go to the third period tied 4-all.
Ryan Messing made it 5-4 Jets early in the third and then Zeth Stelmaszak evened it up for the Cherokee at 16:39, setting the stage for overtime, where Fleutot scored on a power play.
“We knew we were going to have a lot of energy, and we played very well in the first period,” said Jets associate head coach Jamie Lovell. “We knew we were going to get that type of response. Credit to Toledo for battling back, but we have a lot to learn still, and we will. We’re going to grow from this.”
Miscavish had two assists on the night and also finished with 25 saves. Kott and Jets captain Cody Mastay also picked up two assists apiece while Hellman and Messing added assists of their own for two-point performances.
Cormier stopped 31 shots for Toledo in suffering the defeat. Bailey Byrd collected two goals and an assist for Toledo.
Earlier in the day at Redford Ice Arena, Mason Kelly earned the shutout in goal as the MJDP defeated the Motor City Hockey Club 10-0.
Jonathan Martin recorded a hat trick of his own while Steven Miller tacked on two goals and an assist.
“It was a good game for all four lines, all seven defensemen and Mason,” said Jets associate coach Dan Pszenyczny. “We had a good puck movement, made smart decisions, and played a well-rounded game from start to finish.”
Robert Grasso, Nick Twombley, Trevor Naiman, Nolan Bruxvoort and Will Boyer added single goals in the win and Tommy Purton and Vincent Westman registered two assists each.
Next weekend, both the Jets and MJDP teams head to Illinois for the USPHL Chicago Showcase.
The Jets play the Hudson Havoc Thursday at 3:20 p.m. Central, the Minnesota Moose Friday at 10:10 a.m., the Fort Wayne Spacemen Friday at 5:50 p.m., and wrap with the Steele County Blades Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
The MJDP plays the Moose Thursday at 5:20 p.m., Toledo Friday at 12:20 p.m., the Northern Colorado Eagles Friday at 7:50 p.m., and conclude with the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
All games will be available on HockeyTV.com.
