MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Alek John’s goal at 7:29 of the third period snapped a 3-3 tie and the Metro Jets went on to defeat the Red River Spartans 6-3 Saturday night at Mount Clemens Ice Arena to open the 2024-25 USPHL season.

Just 33 seconds later, Tim Monaghan scored to make it a two-goal lead and Luka Pivec’s goal at 10:15 finished out the scoring for the Jets.

The Spartans opened the scoring at 6:42 of the first period on a goal from Brayden Goncalves. Metro answered at 17:23 on an AJ Zaccagni goal and Harry Dembowski gave the Jets a 2-1 lead at 18:35 before Red River’s Gino Indelicato tied it 2-2 at 19:30.

Joseph Martin netted the only goal of the second period, sending the Jets into the second intermission up 3-2 until Jesse James Aitken scored 6:35 into the third period, setting the stage for John’s game-winning tally.

In goal, Austin Muirhead made 24 saves for the win, while Andrew Young stopped 37 in taking the loss for the Spartans. Muirhead also had the secondary assist on Martin’s goal.

River Lewis, Jaxon Stone, Pierce Ashcroft, and Isaiah Winters collected two assists apiece, and Pivec added a helper for a two-point game.

This week, the Jets are home for two more games, hosting the Battle Creek Kernels Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. and the Toledo Cherokee Saturday night at 7 p.m.

In addition, the MJDP kicks off its season Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. at home against the Fort Wayne Spacemen and the Jets Elite team also drops the puck on its new season Thursday at home at 11:30 a.m., also hosting Fort Wayne.

All USPHL games are available on FloHockey.tv.