FRASER, Mich. – Facing as tough a showcase schedule as any team in the USPHL, the Metro Jets and MJDP Team finished a combined 5-3 at the recent USPHL Chicago Showcase, not an easy feat considering the teams played top-notch competition and were being watched by a slew of college scouts from across the country.
The two teams led the event allowing a combined 15 goals against in eight games.
Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville praised goaltenders Will Augustine, Machus Turner, Michael Paul, Kris Eberly and Ethan Ryan for being the team’s best players over the eight games in Chicago, even in the close losses.
“The league always does a great job making sure our teams have a difficult schedule and it was no different in Chicago,” said Quenneville. “We know teams will always be up to play our guys and play their best lineups. We felt like goaltending was our strongest showing in a showcase this year. All of them did a great job shutting the door and competing each game. Even in our 1-0 loss to Hudson and the MJDP Team’s 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh, we liked how our goalies did their job when we were not able to score.
“At the end of the day, we are happy our guys came out on top considering the difficult turnaround and short breaks between games. Hopefully, that continues in our next showcase in Boston coming up. The goalies continued progress and development is all because of our goalie coach Randy Wilson.”
At the showcase, Turner helped the Jets down the Minnesota Moose 3-1 with a 25-save effort and then the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings, making 51 saves, in a thrilling 2-1 shootout, while Eberly (38 saves) and the MJDP knocked off the Minnesota Blue Ox 2-1 and Ryan (39 saves) was in net for the 2-1 win over the Dells Ducks. Augustine earned the win with a 22-save outing over the Blue Ox in a 4-2 win to cap the showcase on Sunday.
In the three losses, Eberly fought off 47 shots against the Hudson Havoc, losing 5-1, Augustine stopped 36 against Hudson in a 1-0 loss and Paul turned aside 42 in the MJDP’s 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Vengeance.
Wilson was pleasantly pleased with how his goalies fared in Chicago.
“My assessment is best described as impressed and very pleased,” said Wilson. “All of our goalies individually played very well and maintained focus in each game. Will did a great job in both games making big saves and continues to garner NAHL and NCDC interest. I felt like Machus played his two best and most complete games, including stopping all four shots in the shootout win on Saturday.
“For the MJDP Team, Paul and Ryan both made some huge saves under pressure and were both better in the second half of each game, which we have been working on. Eberly was equally strong in both his starts and came up with another big win against the Blue Ox. Even in the game he let in five versus Hudson, he made a number of timely saves. Considering his age and inexperience in junior hockey, he continues to create interest because of his progress and potential.
“All of our goalies are equally developing and showing growth in the position.”
