PITTSBURGH – The Metro Jets jumped out to a 3-0 lead and hung on to defeat the Pittsburgh Vengeance 4-3 Saturday night at the Alpha Ice Complex.
The win runs the Jets’ winning streak to 15 games.
Brandon Graham (pictured) scored twice, while Justin Renzi and Matt Cruz also scored.
“We had our chances to put the game away when it was 3-0, but credit to Pittsburgh for battling back and making it hard on us,” said Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville. “Overall, we controlled the pace and play, but we need to do a better job finishing on our chances in tight. There is no reason for this game to end the way it did. We will take the two points, regroup and focus on playing a full 60 tomorrow.”
Jets goalie Brian Tallieu finished with 27 saves as the Jets outshot the Vengeance 40-30.
“I think that overall, we played a good, fast-paced game, but some ups and downs,” Renzi said. “We are coached very well to play to our ups and take advantage of what we get and that’s what we did tonight. Some positives we can take as a team are coming down to the final minutes of a close game, coming together to pull off the win for a big two points.
“We are going to be getting a hard-working team that wants to win tomorrow. They are going come out strong and try to get the second game, but as a team, we know that if we play to our game and everyone plays 100 percent, we should not have a problem coming out of this weekend with four points.”
Rhett Limback tacked on three assists for the Jets.
Jacob Zab made 36 saves for Pittsburgh, while Nick Erker, Kenny White and Santeri Rajakallio scored.
The two teams wrap up the series Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Back in Michigan, Will Augustine pitched a 26-save shutout as the Metro Jets DP Team blanked the Detroit Fighting Irish 3-0 at the Brownstown Sports Center.
Matt Bleim (goal, two assists) and Trevor Granzow (two goals) put up multi-point performances in the win.
The Jets DP Team plays the Motor City Hockey Club Sunday afternoon at 2:40 p.m. at Fraser Hockeyland with the game being a Motor City “home” game.
Both games Sunday will be streamed on www.HockeyTV.com.
