LEWIS CENTER, Ohio – Since joining the USPHL ahead of the 2018-19 season, the Metro Jets have qualified for the USPHL National Championship Tournament every year.

This season is no different.

After sweeping the Columbus Mavericks in two straight games over the weekend, the Jets will head to Utica, N.Y., later this month to play for the game’s ultimate prize.

“The boys knew going into this weekend that they needed to focus on doing their jobs by outworking and outscoring our opponent,” Jets associate coach Tina Ciraulo said. “Not only doing it once, but twice before we could move forward, and they did just that.”

Friday night at Mount Clemens Ice Arena, Freddy Soderberg stopped all 21 shots he faced in a 6-0 win for the Jets.

Yarne Vaerewyck scored twice, Chad Noetzel, Alex Schaumburger and Carson Finney had a goal and two assists each, and Ethan Hellman also scored. Dakota Kott and Jets captain Josh German chipped in two assists each.

Columbus goalie Brenden Cobb finished with 38 saves.

Then Saturday night at the OhioHealth Chiller North, Finney scored twice as the Jets clinched a nationals berth with a 7-3 victory.

Kott and Bryce O’Rourke each had a goal and an assist, Devon Mastay, Tyler Husted and Hellman all scored once, and Dylan Eliason and Rocco Stolz combined on a 30-save effort in goal.

Schaumburger and Noetzel tacked on three assists each and Alex Bedenko collected a pair of helpers.

For the Mavericks, Jadon Beard, Yannick Rizzi and Jeffrey Slivon scored with Cobb and Kyle Diehr stopping 49 shots.

The 2023 USPHL Premier National Championship Tournament is March 23-28 at the Nexus Center in Utica, N.Y.

For more information, visit the USPHL website.

All USPHL games are available on HockeyTV.com.