MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – The Metro Jets opened the 2022-23 season this weekend with a home-and-home sweep over the Cincinnati Jr. Cyclones.
The Jets took a 6-2 win Saturday night at Mount Clemens Ice Arena and then recorded an 8-1 victory Sunday afternoon at the Heritage Bank Center.
Opening up on home ice, Joey Mocnik registered a goal and two assists, and Freddy Soderberg made 17 saves between the pipes.
“It was the first junior game for a lot of guys,” said Jets associate head coach Jamie Lovell. “We had a lot of turnover and a lot of new faces, but our veterans stepped up and our power play looked pretty good, so we’re happy with those things, for sure.”
Alex Schaumburger, Yarne Vaerewyck, and Bryce O’Rourke all had a goal and an assist, while Josh German scored and Chad Noetzel and Andreas Fleutot rang up two assists apiece.
Braydin Lewis, who has been battling cancer since the later part of last season, scored in the game as well.
“I’ve been through a lot, obviously, but this was my goal, to be here, and I achieved that goal,” Lewis said. “When I got the goal on the ice, oh man. It’s a lot, but it was awesome. I got the best guys around me all the time.”
Kyle Burke tallied both Cincinnati goals, Brady Talaski had two assists, and John Rampe made 43 saves in taking the loss in net.
In the finale Sunday, Mocnik scored three goals and added an assist for a four-point game. Schaumburger added two goals with an assist, while goaltender Rocco Stolz made 12 saves in goal for his first junior hockey win.
“It’s a good to start the season with some wins, and although we didn’t play to our full potential, it feels good,” said Mocnik. “(For the goals) I was in the right place right time and made myself available in the slot for two of them. And the other was a breakaway on the penalty kill, just shot the puck low blocker. After a tough year (a year ago), it feels amazing to be back out there doing what I do.”
“I thought we did a good job using our speed to support pucks and take away time and space away from them when they had possession,” added Jets associate coach Adam Morrison. “Their goalie played well and saw a lot of shots in the game. It’s still early and we have some things to work on as a group, but it was a step in the right direction.”
Fleutot and Noetzel each had a goal and an assist, Ugo Lollier scored, and German chipped in three assists and Dakota Kott garnered two helpers.
Jordan Winrod spoiled Stolz’s shutout bid in the third period, and Rampe took the loss in goal.
Next weekend, the Jets host the Toledo Cherokee Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and the Columbus Mavericks Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
The MJDP teams hosts the Battle Creek Kernels Friday at 7:30 p.m.
“We have to come to practice ready to work this week, amp up the intensity a little bit,” said Mocnik.
All USPHL games are broadcast on HockeyTV.com.
