The Metro Jets and MJDP each earned series sweeps Sunday, while the MHC suffered a loss despite playing a solid game.
Opening the day, the Jets blanked the Pittsburgh Vengeance 8-0 as Louis-Pierre Fortier (pictured front) made 20 saves for the shutout.
Jason Crossland scored a pair of goals, while Jack Mueller had a goal and two assists and Conner Graham a goal plus a helper.
“Another great effort and it was a fun game to watch,” Jets associate coach Jamie Lovell said. “I think that’s a statement game for our guys.”
Jets captain Matt Cruz, Stefan Frantti, Braydin Lewis and Cristian Adragna all posted a goal, Will Jentz tacked on three assists and Anders Grongstad and Nick Beeman added two assists each.
“We were buzzing yesterday and it’s hard to do that two days in a row, but we got the job done and got the four points,” Cruz said. “We’re flying high. It’s the second half of the season and we’re ready to go.”
In the second game, the MJDP took a 10-2 win over the Midwest Blackbirds on the strength of two goals and an assist from Mitch Forton and two goals from Joey Mocnik.
Michael Kambouris stopped nine shots for the win in goal.
“Those are tough games to play for our guys,” Lovell said. “I’m glad our guys handled themselves and did their thing.”
Nick Twombley added a goal and two assists and captain Brayden Tayles, Patrick Hays, Seth Francois and Kam Hellman all had a goal and an assist.
Austin Ieuter also scored, to go along with four assists from Hugo Fonovic and two assists apiece from Herman Ahokas, Jake Aslanian and Derek Dreher.
Wrapping up the day, the MHC kept it a 3-1 game with the Columbus Mavericks late into the third period but suffered a 6-1 loss.
Darin Kennedy notched the lone goal for the MHC and Tate Potteiger finished with 37 saves in goal.
“The effort is there, but we somehow make mistakes and shoot ourselves in the foot,” said Lovell. “We can’t afford those mistakes. We basically gave that hockey game away.”
Then completing the extended weekend’s slate, the MJDP beat Columbus 7-2 Monday afternoon (pictured below).
Hellman went for two goals and two assists, Forton added two goals and a helper, and Mocnik posted a goal and three assists in the win.
Ahokas chipped in a goal and an assist and Tommy Purton also scored to back Daniel Miscavish’s 29 saves bewteen the pipes.
This week, the Jets play in Toledo Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m., while the MJDP also hits the road to Chicago for games Friday night at 9:15 p.m. Eastern and 9 p.m. Saturday.
All USPHL games are available on HockeyTV.com.
