MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – The Metro Jets opened up Mount Clemens Ice Arena in a dramatic way Friday night as Alex Blankenship’s goal 38 seconds into overtime lifted the MJDP to an 8-7 win over the Motor City Hockey Club.
The MJDP led 6-1 after two periods before Motor City rallied to tie the game late in regulation time.
“It was exciting; I think the people got what they paid for, not so much for us on the bench,” said Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville. “It was a very unique game, I can say. In all my years doing this, I can’t quite recall a game where you just felt like nothing was going your way down the stretch.
“It was a difficult one, but definitely a learning experience for our guys.”
After Robert Grasso’s second goal of the game at 11:15 of the third period gave the MJDP a 7-4 lead, Motor City’s Demian Tychenko scored three goals in a span of 51 seconds (18:23, 18:58, 19:14) to tie the game and send it to overtime.
Grasso added two assists in the win to go along with a goal and two assists each from Nick Twombley and Carson Finney and a goal and an assist from Josh Boze, Steven Miller and Blankenship.
“We had some ups and downs in the third period, but we were able to capitalize and come out with the two points,” said Grasso. “We play these guys again Saturday and I’m expecting us to play all 60 minutes and not look down.”
Duke Allen also scored, and Nolan Bruxvoort tacked on two assists to back Ethan Ryan’s 22 saves in goal.
Motor City goalie Andrey Malykhin stopped 39 shots in suffering the defeat.
The two teams rematch Saturday at 4:15 p.m. at Redford Ice Arena.
Also Friday night, the Jets defeated the Lake Erie Bighorns 16-2 at ErieBank Sports Park in Erie, Pa., as all but one player registered at least one point in the win.
Alex Schaumburger scored twice and added three assists, Chad Noetzel picked up two goals and an assist, and Anders Grongstad also notched a pair of goals as Will Augustine finished with 15 saves between the pipes.
Cristian Adragna added four assists, Andreas Fleutot scored once with two assists, Owen Limback collected three assists, and Jets captain Cody Mastay, Joey Mocnik, Kam Hellmann, Matt Cole and Nick Ceccarini all had a goal plus an assist in the victory.
Noah Granata made 57 saves in the loss for the Bighorns.
The finale of the series is set for Saturday at 5 p.m.
All USPHL games are available on HockeyTV.com.
