NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Metro Jets opened the USPHL Islanders Hockey Club Showcase with a 3-1 win over the host Islanders Thursday night at Gallant Arena on the campus of Merrimack College.
Anders Grongstad (pictured below) netted a pair of goals in the win, while Alex Schaumburger also scored, and Louis-Pierre Fortier (pictured front) finished with 18 saves in goal.
“Good win tonight against a tough, quality opponent,” said Jets associate head coach Jamie Lovell. “We knew it was going to be a tight checking game, but we managed the puck well for the most part. Got some big saves when we made the odd mistake and converted on the power play at the right time. Good start to the weekend.”
Also Thursday night at Gallant Arena, the MJDP fell 4-3 to the Springfield Pics.
Austin Combs and Steven Miller posted a goal and an assist each, while Jonathan Martin scored, and Stone Bishop tacked on two assists. Freddy Soderberg made 26 saves between the pipes in suffering the defeat.
“Not good enough,” Lovell said. “Proud of how we battled back into the game in the third, but we can’t show up for one period and expect to win. We were chasing the game all night. We know we can be so much better.”
Friday, both teams play two games each.
The Jets play the Philadelphia Hockey Club at noon from Cyclones Arena and then the Northern Colorado Eagles at 8:50 p.m. back at Gallant Arena, while the MJDP plays the P.A.L. Jr. Islanders at 1:30 p.m. and the Connecticut Jr. Rangers at 9 p.m., both from Skate 3.
All showcase games will be available on HockeyTV.com.
