MARLBOROUGH, Mass. – The Metro Jets MJDP Team pulled off an upset Sunday night at the USPHL Winter Showcase, defeating the New York Aviators 5-4 in a shootout, ending their 17-game winning streak in the process.
Trevor Granzow (pictured) scored the winner in the shootout, while Anthony Carlier made all three stops in the extra session.
“It was a much-needed win for this group after taking two tough losses yesterday,” said Jets associate head coach Jamie Lovell. “New York has some talented players and they’ve been playing really well so we tried to weather the storm early and take advantage of our opportunities when we got them. And we did just that.
“Our penalty kill was very good tonight and that may have been the difference in the game, as it gave us more confidence with every kill and may have taken away some of their confidence as the game went on. It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t close the game out in regulation as I think this group still needs to learn how to finish hockey games and play with leads, but we’re happy that we responded in overtime and ultimately got the much-needed two points.”
The Jets led 3-0 at one point, but the Aviators roared back to tie the game in the waning moments of the second half.
For the Jets, Tanner Neill scored twice in regulation and Granzow and Matt Bleim also scored.
Carlier stopped 22 shots in regulation.
In the other game of the day, the Jets fell 3-1 to the Connecticut Nighthawks, despite outshooting the Nighthawks 49-16 and allowing a late empty-net goal.
“Credit to their goaltender (Matthew Radder) for absolutely standing on his head,” said Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville. “We were not sharp tonight but dominated the play. We just couldn’t solve their goalie. He won them that game.”
Brian Tallieu turned aside 14 shots in the loss and Brandon Graham scored the Jets’ lone goal.
Both teams conclude showcase play on Monday as the MJDP plays the Boston Jr. Bruins at noon and the Jets play the South Shore Kings at 8:20 a.m. and the Boston Bandits at 2 p.m.
All games at the showcase are being streamed on www.HockeyTV.com.
