PITTSBURGH – Four different players scored Tuesday afternoon as the Metro Jets doubled up the Rockets Hockey Club 4-2 at the Alpha Ice Complex.
Justin Song, Alex Schaumburger (pictured front), Anders Grongstad and Will Jentz posted goals for the Jets, while Louis-Pierre Fortier made 28 saves in goal for the win.
“That was a big win for our guys,” Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville said. “The Rockets are a good team and didn’t back down at any point. Our ‘D’ did a great job tonight breaking up plays and slowing down their forwards. LP made a couple big saves in the second to keep the lead, and our forwards managed the puck well as the game progressed. Overall, our guys committed to getting in lanes. It was a compete team effort, but we know that team will be hungry to push back tomorrow. We will be ready.”
Ryan Messing and Joey Johnson each had two assists for the Jets.
“Today’s game was a huge boost for us going into playoffs,” said Grongstad. “The Rockets are a top seed in their division and the type of team we will play at nationals. Winning big games like this shows the work we’ve been putting in.
“We’re expecting the Rockets to come out with vengeance tomorrow. It will be a high-paced intense game.”
Harris Blackwood scored both games for the Rockets and Nolan Woodring stopped 28 shots between the pipes.
The two teams meet again Wednesday at 10 a.m.
Also Tuesday, Brennan Zatelli (pictured below) scored two third-period goals, Ethan Smith assisted on both, and Sal Carabelli made 43 saves as the MHC fell 4-2 to the Detroit Fighting Irish at Fraser Hockeyland.
The MHC travels to Redford to play the Motor City Hockey Club Wednesday at noon.
In other action Wednesday, the MJDP hosts the Fighting Irish back at Fraser with a 2 p.m. opening faceoff.
All USPHL games are streamed on HockeyTV.com.
