CHICAGO – The Metro Jets wrapped up the USPHL Chicago Showcase with a 3-2 loss Sunday afternoon to the Hampton Roads Whalers.
The Jets finished 2-1-1 at the event.
“Hampton came to play today, and it showed,” Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville said. “They really controlled the pace early and put us on our heels. (Goaltender) Freddy (Meurling) did a great job in net for us, but timely mistakes ultimately hurt us. That team was loaded with veteran 20-year-old players and I’m proud of our guys for pushing back and competing. We still have a lot of work to do, but we have a young group that will be very dangerous as the season progresses. Our staff is excited about the future with this group and so are scouts.
“The Jets have always been lucky to play top competition in our division and out-of-division games, and this showcase was no different. Even though this was our only regulation loss here, the teams we played were very competitive. We are equally excited to potentially see Hampton again and build up this new rivalry. They have a top-notch program.”
Nick Ceccarini and Justin Song scored for the Jets and Meurling made 21 saves.
“I’m proud of our guys battling through a rough two weeks of hockey between travel from China to Detroit and then up here for a lot of hockey games in two weeks,” Quenneville said. “They need a rest.”
The Jets next play in Lansing against the Lansing Wolves on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. and then host the Wooster Oilers back at Fraser Hockeyland on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.
The MJDP plays two on the road against the Pittsburgh Vengeance, starting at 6:30 p.m. Saturday night and then concluding at 11:40 a.m. Sunday afternoon.
All games will be streamed on www.HockeyTV.com.
