MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – The Metro Jets and Metro Jets Elite teams were in action over the long weekend, playing five total games and winning all five.
The Jets swept the Battle Creek Kernels in a home-and-home series, while the Elite squad picked up four points in a home sweep at Mount Clemens Ice Arena over the Decatur Blaze and then downed the Motor City Gamblers Saturday night at Big Boy Arena in Fraser.
Against the Blaze, the Jets won 7-3 Thursday afternoon and 10-1 Friday afternoon.
In the first game, Joey Goff scored three goals with an assist, while Blake Botterill went for a goal and three assists to back Crew Petty’s 17 saves in goal.
Tyler Dix chipped in two goals and an assist and Jackson Hinkle also scored. Sam Hanson, Landon Graham and Caleb Simpson each posted two assists.
For Decatur, Blake Schwendeman made 57 saves and Carter Murphy, Hammad Khan and Jeremy Zarvos scored. Owen Amelkovich tacked on two assists.
Then in the finale Friday, Botterill recorded a goal and three assists, Lukas Nies scored twice with an assist, and Peter Spiridonakos potted a pair of goals as Tabor Hatch finished with 17 saves between the pipes.
Ryan Lemker had a goal and an assist, while Graham, John Spiridonakos, Robert Poliski, and Cameron Maxwell also found the back of the net. Oliver Budd contributed two assists.
Decatur goalie Morgan Heck turned aside 50 shots and Easton Gbeyetin scored the lone Blaze goal.
Making the short trek to Fraser Saturday night, John Spiridonakos registered a hat trick and Ben Vanderdonck made 50 saves in an 8-4 win over the Gamblers.
Botterill added four assists and Dix and Peter Spiridonakos had a goal and an assist.
“The boys came ready to play tonight,” said Jets associate coach Tina Ciraulo. “They focused on keeping it simple and when we had opportunities, we took it and found ways to put the puck in the net. Vanderdonck had a great game for us with some big saves. Of course, there are things we still need to work on, and we will get back to work on Monday to prepare for next weekend.”
Goff, Graham, and Max Rastello added goals and Jack Rivera posted two assists.
Mark Bonnay scored twice with two assists for Motor City, while Patrick Patton and Dustin Fretter each had a goal and an assist. Jack Squire registered two assists and Tyler Houle made 37 saves after taking over for Alex Frink, who gave up two goals on the Jets’ first two shots of the game.
The Jets picked up two straight shutouts over Battle Creek, winning 10-0 Friday afternoon on home ice and then 7-0 Saturday night at The Rink Battle Creek.
In the opener, Tyler Bautko tallied two goals and an assist and Ethan Hellman scored twice as Taylor White made 15 saves in goal for the shutout.
Brock Hart, Luke Gaffney and Seve Litz each had a goal and two assists, while Carson Redd assisted on three goals, Carson Finney had a goal and an assist, and Ugo Lollier and Emrik Froding scored one apiece. Mason Cole chipped in two assists.
Edward Kaiven made 68 saves in goal for the Kernels.
Wrapping up Saturday night, Carson MacKenzie stopped all 18 shots for his fourth shutout in five starts this season.
Litz and Alex Bedenko each had a goal and an assist, Finney a goal plus a helper, while Bautko, Hellman, Robert Vanderdonck, and Yarne Vaerewyck all scored.
“Hard to play in games like this when your opponent sits back and plays safe and defensive,” said Jets associate head coach Jamie Lovell. “We had a lot of time and space with the puck and we were able to make plays at will. We just tried to preach good habits during these two games and focus on playing the right way so that we can prepare for next weekend’s matchup with Nashville.
“I think our guys did a really good job of that for the most part, and now we move into this week of practice and focus on Nashville.”
For Battle Creek, goaltender Sebastian Wigfield stopped 62 shots.
This coming weekend, the Jets are on the road to play the Nashville Spartans from the Gary Force Acura Ice Arena. Game times are 7:30 p.m. CST Friday and Saturday night. The MJDP team hosts Motor City Tuesday at Mount Clemens at 12:30 p.m. (Kids Day all kids get in free), and the Jets Elite team plays three in Fort Wayne, Ind., at the SportONE/Parkview Icehouse as part of the USPHL Elite Midwest Showcase – Thursday at 2:10 p.m. against the Chicago Cougars, Friday at 2:20 p.m. against the Chicago Crush, and Saturday at 2:50 p.m. against the Fort Wayne Spacemen.
All USPHL games are available on FloHockey.tv.
