WOOSTER, Ohio – The Metro Jets jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the first period and defeated the Wooster Oilers 5-0 Friday night at the Alice Noble Ice Arena.
Jets captain Jeremy Schwartz (pictured) scored twice, while Matt Cruz, Tyler German and Joey Bruce added single goals to back Fredrik Meurling’s 24-save shutout.
“I thought we played one of our best periods of the season in the first,” said Jets associate head coach Jamie Lovell. “We know Wooster plays with a lot of energy and physicality at home and the players responded by making simple, quick plays and used our speed to create offense.
“We pretty much rode that first period for the rest of the game. We know when we give ‘Freddy’ a four-goal cushion that we should be fine from there.”
Jhuwon Davis tacked on three assists for the Jets, who chased Wooster starting goalie Ty Barnhill after the first period.
Barnhill and Michael Hubbard combined to make 34 saves for the Oilers.
“I thought tonight we played really well as a team and capitalized on our opportunities,” German said. “It was a good way to bounce back from our last game against Pittsburgh (a 2-0 loss last Sunday). We’re expecting Wooster to come out hard tomorrow and I think it’ll be a good game.”
“Knowing we have to play the same team again tomorrow night, we would have liked to have played the second half of the game like we did the first, but altogether, it was a solid effort by everyone,” added Lovell. “We will refocus and be prepared for tomorrow.”
The Jets host Wooster Saturday night back at Fraser Hockeyland. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. and will be preceded by the Jets’ second annual alumni game at 5:30 p.m.
In Toledo, the Cherokee scored four in the third to pull away and down the Metro Jets DP Team 5-1 at the Team Toledo IceHouse on Friday night.
Nick McDougall scored for the Jets and Will Augustine made 30 saves in goal.
Toledo goalie Mason Snyder stopped 25 shots to pick up the win.
The two teams play again Saturday night at 7 p.m. back in Toledo.
Both games tomorrow night will be available on www.HockeyTV.com.
