FRASER, Mich. – The Metro Jets are one win away from advancing to USPHL Nationals after a 6-2 win over the Columbus Mavericks Thursday night at Fraser Hockeyland in Game 1 of their best-of-three series.
Nick Ceccarini and Cristian Adragna scored two goals each while Anders Grongstad added a goal and an assist to back Will Augustine’s 18 saves in goal.
“The boys came out strong and throughout the whole game, we never took our foot off the gas,” said Ceccarini. “All 60 minutes of the game, we were all over them and we just never let up.”
Will Jentz also scored, to go along with three assists from Joey Johnson and two assists each out of Ryan Messing and Cody Mastay.
“I think our guys managed the puck pretty well and the line of Grongstad, Messing and Ceccarini looked really good,” added Jets associate coach Jamie Lovell. “It was a good effort and I think we’re set here for tomorrow night.”
Tyler Dorion made 36 saves for the Mavericks and Jordan Winrod and Sam Adler scored.
Game 2 is Friday night at the OhioHealth Chiller North. Opening faceoff is set for 8:30 p.m.
“We’re expecting pushback from Columbus,” Ceccarini said. “We’re not expecting an easy game and we’ll go in there with full force.”
The MJDP faltered in their playoff opener Thursday night, losing 4-3 to the Detroit Fighting Irish at Fraser Hockeyland in a back-and-forth game that saw Christopher Hawkins net the game-winner for Detroit with 6:51 to play in the third period.
Jake Aslanian had a goal and an assist and Kam Hellman and Patrick Hays notched goals as Daniel Miscavish finished with 22 saves between the pipes.
“It’s a loss whether we lose the game 4-3 or 7-1,” Lovell said. “You have to win two games to win a series and the guys will come back here tomorrow ready to go. Their season is on the line.”
Zach Frescura scored two goals for Detroit while Bradley Scott also scored and goaltender Daniel McCarthy made 35 saves.
Game 2 between the MJDP and Fighting Irish is Friday night at 8 p.m. back at Fraser.
All USPHL playoff games are streamed on HockeyTV.com.
