PITTSBURGH – Four different players scored as the Metro Jets downed the Pittsburgh Vengeance 4-2 Sunday afternoon to complete a weekend sweep at the Alpha Ice Complex.
Jets captain Matt Cruz and Joey Johnson each tallied a goal and an assist and Will Augustine finished with 30 saves in goal for the win.
“Another great effort from start to finish,” Jets associate coach Jamie Lovell said. “These were two big wins against a tough division rival. We managed the puck and controlled the play in the offensive zone well. The only negative we could look at, I suppose, is the fact the score didn’t reflect the how dominant we actually were. It would have been nice to find some more goals with all the offensive zone time and the amount of quality shots we had.”
Ryan Messing and Will Jentz (pictured) added goals for Metro.
“We came into the weekend looking for four points, and the boys all bought in to complete that no matter where the game is,” said Jets defenseman Jack Mueller, who drew an assist on Jentz’s goal. “Everyone played their roles and played together. Simple Jets hockey.”
Lovell added that having two goaltenders play solid hockey during the two wins was a major positive to the pair of victories.
“I’m sure our goalies would appreciate a little more of a goal cushion,” said Lovell. “Have to give big credit to Will Augustine today and LP Fortier last night for staying focused and making key saves when we needed them to. Not easy to go long periods of time without a lot of action and then have to make a big save on a breakaway or odd-man chance. They did their job, and that’s huge for our group.”
For Pittsburgh, Evan Victor and Nick Sweet scored, while Briad Odstrchel assisted on both and Andrew Kelly made 54 saves.
The Jets next host the Wooster Oilers on Saturday at 2:45 p.m. from Fraser Hockeyland.
In Dyer, Ind., at the Midwest Training and Ice Center, the Midwest Blackbirds rallied to defeat the MHC 2-1 to take both ends of that weekend series.
Ronny Zamojski scored for the second time in as many games on a late first-period power play and Sal Carabelli turned aside 32 shots in goal.
“We started off with good energy and getting pucks to the net,” Jets associate coach Dan Pszenyczny said. “Got up a goal in the first and started to control the play, but then in the second, we found ourselves taking lazy and unnecessary penalties. That took our momentum away and we couldn’t get back into our game. Sal played a strong game in the pipes.
“Just need to reset and get ready for Tuesday.”
The MHC plays at home Tuesday against Wooster at 2 p.m.
In other action, the MJDP plays two games this week at the ErieBank Sports Park in Erie, Pa., against the New York Aviators. Game times are 8:05 p.m. Tuesday and 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. The MJDP then heads to play Wooster next Sunday at 2:45 p.m. at the Alice Noble Ice Arena.
All games will be available on HockeyTV.com.
