DYER, Ind. – The MJDP swept the Midwest Blackbirds this weekend on the road at the Midwest Training and Ice Center, winning 6-5 in overtime Friday night and then taking a 10-0 win Saturday night.

With the victories, the MJDP is just one point behind the second-place Fort Wayne Spacemen in the USPHL’s Midwest East Division with one weekend to go in the regular season.

“The boys came ready and played hard tonight after going into OT last night,” Metro Jets assistant coach Tina Ciraulo said. “Last night’s game, their goalie (Nick Meyering) played very well and kept them in it.

“Our boys are on a mission to finish this season out strong, and they’re doing it. We’ll head back to work this week to finish it out next weekend.”

In the opener, Carson Finney tallied the game-winning goal 4:04 into overtime for the 6-5 win.

Tommy Purton had tied the game at 5-all with a power-play goal at 16:38 of the third period.

Joey Carpenter registered a goal and two assists, Finney had an assist for a two-point game, and Josh Boze, Steven Miller (pictured front) and Sam Westerberg added single goals to back Ethan Ryan’s 26 saves in goal (pictured below).

Saturday night, the MJDP was led by Robert Grasso’s four points (goal, three assists), two goals plus a helper from Miller and two goals from Westerberg.

“Tonight’s win was really important for the team after a pretty bad game last night,” Westerberg said. “It’s good that we are finding ways to score in these types of games.

“The confidence in the team feels really good, and everyone is ready to end this season in the best possible way.”

Finney chipped in three assists, while Austin Combs had a goal and an assist and Carpenter, Aidan Shannon, Ethan Smith and Ville Karlsson added to the scoring barrage.

Between the pipes, Freddy Soderberg stopped all 21 shots for his sixth shutout of the season.

Next weekend, the MJDP plays a home-and-home series with the Motor City Hockey Club to wrap the regular season. The first game is Friday night at 9:05 p.m. from Redford Ice Arena with the finale Saturday at 4:45 p.m. from Mount Clemens Ice Arena.

The Jets head to Cincinnati to play the Jr. Cyclones Monday night at 7 p.m. from the Heritage Bank Center.

All USPHL games are available on HockeyTV.com.

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – The MJDP popped four goals from four different players and Freddy Soderberg stopped all 17 shots he faced in a 4-0 win over the Decatur Blaze Sunday afternoon at Mount Clemens Ice Arena, completing the weekend sweep.

Robert Grasso and Vincent Westman scored in the first period, Steven Miller in the second, and then Nolan Bruxvoort tallied short-handed late in the third period.

“We came out a little slow, but we started putting some things together and it was nice to see the guys pull it off,” Metro Jets assistant coach Tina Ciraulo said. “It’s been a bumpy road for these guys since Christmas, but we’re on a four-game winning streak here and it’s huge going into next weekend.”

The MJDP plays two next weekend in Dyer, Ind., against the Midwest Blackbirds. Game times from the Midwest Training and Ice Center are 7:45 p.m. Eastern on Friday and then 8:15 p.m. Saturday.

All USPHL games are available on HockeyTV.com.

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Both the Metro Jets and MJDP teams picked up wins Saturday night at Mount Clemens Ice Arena as the Jets knocked off the Toledo Cherokee 4-2 and the MJDP downed the Decatur Blaze 7-1.

In the opener, the Jets jumped out to a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes on goals by Tim Washburn and Alex Schaumburger, followed by Andreas Fleutot in the second period and then a late third-period goal by Ryan Messing sealed it for the Jets.

“That was a complete game,” Jets associate head coach Jamie Lovell said. “That’s a tough opponent, a rival of ours, it was a packed house here, and we rose to the challenge.”

Schaumburger added two assists, Anders Grongstad had three helpers, and Washburn and Fleutot each had an assist for a multi-point game.

Between the pipes, Daniel Miscavish made 20 saves for the win as the Jets outshot Toledo 41-22.

In the nightcap, Austin Combs and Steven Miller each had a goal and three assists and Royal St-Cyr recorded two goals and an assist in the MJDP’s rout of the Blaze.

“I’m glad that we started putting the puck in the net,” Lovell said. “We have been getting lots of opportunities and these guys have been snakebitten lately, but it was nice to see the puck go in for them.”

Joey Carpenter and Nolan Bruxvoort had a goal and an assist each and Nick Twombley also scored. Josh Boze chipped in two assists.

Ethan Ryan made 15 saves to pick up the victory in goal.

The MJDP outshot the Blaze 48-16.

“This was a great win for us,” said St-Cyr. “We’ve been struggling to find the net, but getting seven here was huge for us. It’s also a huge two points for us.”

The MJDP and Decatur rematch Sunday at 11:30 a.m. back at Mount Clemens.

All USPHL games are available on HockeyTV.com.

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – When Kam Hellman joined the Metro Jets last season and played with the organization’s MJDP team, he quickly found his offensive game.

Hellman recorded 12 goals and 26 points in 17 regular-season games before adding six points in six USPHL playoff games.

This season, the 2001-born Macomb, Mich., native has put up 23 goals and 56 points in 39 games with the Jets, good for fourth on the club, and has next year set with his recent commitment to NCAA Division III New England College.

“The NEC opportunity started early in the year and grew from there,” said Hellman, also an alternate captain this season. “(New England College assistant coach) Dakota Bell reached out to talk to me and the process started from there. In terms of fitting in next year, I hope to bring my speed and IQ to the team and to help drive them offensively.”

On the academic side, Hellman is looking at a business curriculum at NEC.

In recent years, New England College, a New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) school located in Henniker, N.H., has had several former Jets on the roster, including six this year in forwards Anthony Cinato (2017-20), Jhuwon Davis (2017-19), Connor Inger (2016-18), Trevor Momot (2016-18) and Justin Renzi (2018-20), and goaltender Andrew Kormos (2016-18).

“It will be cool to go to a school that has a history with the Jets,” Hellman said. “To be able to talk with those guys and have something in common right off the jump is cool.”

Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville saw the potential in Hellman, who also has 48 games of NCDC experience with the New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs, last season and has been impressed with how far his game has evolved over the past year.

“Kam is a special player in our program because of the road he took to his NCAA commitment,” Quenneville said. “He is another example that shatters the idea that only one road exists to NCAA. He had early success playing in the NCDC and came back to the Jets to work on his game and develop. We are fortunate that our program can help these young men get the best platform for exposure and advancement.

“Kam is a high-character person, high-energy player with high ability. He can drive a line by himself, bring speed, and drive the offense every shift with his consistent effort he brings the moment he is on the ice. He garnered a lot of college attention here, and deservingly so. We wish him the best of luck and NEC is lucky to have him.”

Hellman said that coming to the Jets helped him turn a corner in his overall development.

“The Jets helped round out my game for the next level by harping on playing a 200-foot game and really working on both sides of the puck, offensively and defensively,” said Hellman. “I would love to thank all my coaches, especially my Jets coaches, and my teammates. I would also love to thank my family, especially my parents, for always being there and supporting me along my entire hockey career.”

And with a few short weeks left in the 2021-22 regular season, Hellman has goals in place, both on a team level and on a personal level.

“For the rest of the season, I would love to just play my game I know I can play,” Hellman said. “I want to help the Jets bring home a national championship to Mount Clemens.”

SOUTHGATE, Mich. – The MJDP finished off a solid weekend with a thrilling 5-4 win over the Detroit Fighting Irish Sunday night at the Southgate Civic Center Ice Arena.

Robert Grasso’s second goal of the game with 3:17 to play stood as the game-winner. Newcomer Royal St-Cyr had tied the game for the MJDP 1:15 into the third period.

“It was an emotional game,” said Metro Jets associate head coach Jamie Lovell. “Both teams were undisciplined, and it was hard to get any type of flow going. We let them back into the game with penalties and mental mistakes and then when they took the lead in the first shift of the third, we could have easily broken down, but we didn’t. We responded.

“It’s all about attitude, and mindset and I think we displayed strong character tonight to get the much-needed two points.”

Tommy Purton and Ethan Smith also scored, while Freddy Soderberg made 35 saves to get the win in goal as the Fighting Irish outshot the MJDP 39-35.

Sam Westerberg and Carson Finney each posted three assists in the win.

“Our game as a whole was a physically- and mentally-challenging game,” said Grasso (pictured front). “That being said, I was fortunate to put the puck in the net after the chance by Finney and giving it another chance after the pass from ‘Blanks’ (Alex Blankenship) for the game winner. It feels good developing my game over the course of the season and getting back into the scoring column.”

Saturday night, Ethan Ryan pitched a nine-save shutout as the MJDP picked up a 3-0 win over the Motor City Hockey Club.

Purton had a goal and an assist in the victory, Finney tacked on two more assists, and Grasso and Westerberg each scored.

The MJDP outshot Motor City 50-9 in the game.

“These two wins are big for our team’s confidence going into the rest of the season,” Grasso said. “It’s playoff hockey now and a great opportunity for our group to be consistent and contest each team we play for the rest of the season.”

The Jets next host the Toledo Cherokee Saturday at 4:30 p.m. from Mount Clemens Ice Arena as part of a double header with the MJDP, who host the Decatur Blaze for the first of two at 7:30 p.m. The series finale is Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

All USPHL games are available on HockeyTV.com.

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – The Metro Jets’ offense scored three goals in the first period and two in the second and third periods to take a 7-2 win over the Cincinnati Jr. Cyclones Friday night at Mount Clemens Ice Arena.

Jets captain Cody Mastay tallied two goals with an assist while linemate Chad Noetzel added a goal and two assists in the win.

Daniel Miscavish played the first 30:05 in net and made 10 saves before Louis-Pierre Fortier stopped 11 shots over the last 29:55.

“We started pretty strong, and this is playoff hockey right now,” Mastay said. “We’re getting ready for playoffs and we need to come out buzzing. We did that tonight. My line was on fire and we were snapping it around. It was a great game.”

Patrick Hays, Dakota Kott, Anders Grongstad and Alex Bedenko scored single goals for the Jets and Ryan Messing, Cristian Adragna and Owen Limback posted two assists apiece.

For Cincinnati, Drake Barnish and Jordan Winrod scored and Jack Cooper finished with 37 saves in suffering the defeat in goal.

The Jets next play on the road Saturday night, taking on the Wooster Oilers at the Alice Noble Ice Arena. Puck drop is set for 6:30 p.m.

“We have to come ready and we know they’ll be ready,” Mastay said. “Like I said, this is playoff hockey. Standings don’t matter.”

All USPHL games are available on HockeyTV.com.

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – The Metro Jets’ offense was on full display Sunday afternoon as the team defeated the Pittsburgh Vengeance 13-0 to complete the weekend sweep at Mount Clemens Ice Arena with back-to-back shutouts.

Louis-Pierre Fortier stopped all 18 shots he faced while Cristian Adragna scored three times with an assist and Ryan Messing collected two goals and two assists in the win that saw every Jets skater record at least one point.

“Pittsburgh is a division rival, for sure, and, obviously, the big game was Friday night against Toledo, but that game doesn’t mean anything if we don’t get these two games here this weekend against Pittsburgh,” Jets associate head coach Jamie Lovell said. “We took what we were given. Pittsburgh kind of sat back and played more of a trapping style, taking away shooting lanes. Our guys took advantage of the other lanes for other plays and we snapped the puck around, scored a lot of goals.”

Braydin Lewis contributed two goals and an assist, Chad Noetzel potted two goals, Andreas Fleutot had a goal and two assists, and Patrick Hays and Kam Hellman tacked on a goal and an assist apiece.

Jets captain Cody Mastay and Owen Limback registered three assists and Nick Ceccarini and Josh German had two helpers each.

Next up, the Jets host the Cincinnati Jr. Cyclones Friday at 7:30 p.m. from Mount Clemens Ice Arena before playing the Wooster Oilers on the road from Alice Noble Ice Arena Saturday night at 6:30 p.m.

Also Sunday, the MJDP salvaged a split on the road by picking up a 3-1 win over the Chicago Cougars at Fifth Third Arena.

Stone Bishop posted a power-play goal and Tommy Purton scored shorthanded in the third period and Freddy Soderberg made 36 saves between the pipes.

Carson Finney opened the scoring in the first period for the MJDP.

“The boys had two good games this weekend,” said Jets assistant coach Tina Ciraulo. “The first game, we just had one too many unlucky bounces then they did and a few breakdowns that they capitalized on. We had our opportunities, but we just couldn’t get one or two more goals than them.

“The boys knew going into today’s game that we needed to come out hard and get more shots through, which we did and then found a way in the third just to take it to them and not stop.”

Joey Carpenter chipped in two assists from the back end in the win.

The MJDP next hosts the Fort Wayne Spacemen next Saturday at 4:45 p.m. from Mount Clemens Ice Arena.

All USPHL games are available on HockeyTV.com.

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Dakota Kott recorded a goal and three assists and Will Augustine made 11 saves as the Metro Jets shut out the Pittsburgh Vengeance 7-0 Saturday night at Mount Clemens Ice Arena.

Kott was one of seven different goal scorers as the Jets spread out the offense against Pittsburgh, outshooting the Vengeance 57-11.

“The win was great; all the boys bought in,” Kott said. “We blocked shots, got pucks to net, just played the game the right way. The two points are huge this time of year.”

Andreas Fleutot collected a goal and two assists, while Ryan Messing, Josh German and Anders Grongstad all had a goal plus a helper.

Single goals came from Cristian Adragna and Alex Schaumburger with Jets captain Cody Mastay tacking on two assists in the win.

Pittsburgh goalie Joe Forster finished with 50 saves in suffering the defeat between the pipes.

The two teams meet again Sunday at 11:30 a.m. back at Mount Clemens.

“We’re going in with the same game plan as tonight,” said Kott.

In more action Saturday night, Nick Twombley, Aidan Shannon and Steven Miller all scored for the MJDP in a 4-3 setback to the Chicago Cougars at Fifth Third Arena in downtown Chicago.

Ethan Ryan stopped 36 shots in goal as Chicago outshot the MJDP 40-27.

Both teams play the finale of the weekend series Sunday at 1:40 p.m. Eastern.

All USPHL games are available on HockeyTV.com.

TOLEDO, Ohio – The Metro Jets and Toledo Cherokee combined to score five goals in the second period Friday night, but it was the Jets who came out on top 3-2 and held on for the win at the Team Toledo Ice House.

With the win, the Jets earn their 30th win of the season (30-4-1).

“Big win for our group in a tough building,” said Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville. “We knew they would come out hard and much was on the line. We did what we needed to do to win in the end, and that’s all that mattered. I’m proud of our guys making the necessary adjustments in game to secure as well. Naturally, we would have loved to capitalize on our chances and opportunities, but credit to their goalie for standing on his head and keeping it close. Sometimes you need to win boring, and we did that. Pucks were obviously not going in for us, so let’s just beat them in the other zones and decision making.

“Everyone committed to it and everyone contributed to doing what we said before the game – get the two points.”

After Chad Noetzel opened the scoring at 2:56 of the second period, the Cherokee came back with two goals of their own from Ryan Stanley and Brandon Clark at 14:02 and 14:29, respectively.

Ryan Messing then tied the game at 15:22 before Cristian Adragna’s goal at 18:22 stood as the game winner.

“Big win for us, but just taking care of business as usual the way we know how to,” said Adragna, who also assisted on Noetzel’s goal for a two-point game. “In their barn, it did feel nice for all the guys. They bring the entire town when we come so we know we have to beat them and their fans, too. Proud of our guys keeping a level head all game and managing the game towards the end.”

Daniel Miscavish made 19 saves in the Metro net, while Joey Cormier made 14 through 19:51 of the first period before being assessed a game misconduct for head contact. Sam Shifflett stopped 27 shots the rest of the way, taking the loss.

The Jets now head home for two games Saturday and Sunday with the Pittsburgh Vengeance at Mount Clemens Ice Arena. Game times are 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

“The (Toledo win) definitely gives us lots of momentum for sure, but again, we know we have a job to do tomorrow and Sunday, and we kind of have to forget about that one, even though it feels nice, because Pittsburgh is the next team up,” Adragna said. “I know the guys will be ready. This team is determined, and I couldn’t be more proud of them. We are ready to take care of business one game at a time and one day at a time.”

Also this weekend, the MJDP is on the road for two games with the Chicago Cougars from Fifth Third Arena. Game times there are 8 p.m. Eastern Saturday and 1:40 p.m. Sunday.

All USPHL games are available on HockeyTV.com.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The MJDP went into the SportONE/Parkview Icehouse Saturday night and couldn’t solve Fort Wayne Spacemen goalie Mikhail Melnikov until late in the third period.

By that time, it was too little, too late, and the Spacemen took a 4-1 win.

“Lost opportunity tonight,” said Metro Jets associate head coach Jamie Lovell. “We had a chance to put some separation between us and Fort Wayne and we let it slip away. Credit to their goalie tonight who made some big saves that took away any chance we had.

“Now it’s going to be a fight right down to the end of the season.”

Tommy Purton (pictured front) broke Melnikov’s shutout bid at 14:07 of the third period.

Freddy Soderberg (pictured below) finished with 33 saves for the MJDP, while Melnikov made 37 for Fort Wayne.

Next weekend, the MJDP plays two in Chicago against the Cougars at Fifth Third Arena. Puck drop is 8 p.m. EST Saturday and Sunday at 1:40 p.m.

All USPHL games are available on HockeyTV.com.