MIDDLETON, Mass. – For the fourth straight season, the Metro Jets have earned the opportunity to play for a national championship.
After a 7-1 win over the Minnesota Blue Ox in the national semifinals Monday afternoon at the Essex Sports Center, the Jets have a date Tuesday afternoon with the Hampton Roads Whalers.
In Monday’s win, Tyler German popped a hat trick, while Brodie Thornton added two goals and Devlin Macaulay and Nick Ceccarini scored one each.
“We got off to big start today, which was imperative in setting the tone,” Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville said. “German had a big night today, and Freddy was clutch when we needed him. The guys controlled the game for 200 feet and never looked back. This is just one step closer for what they’ve been working for, and that’s winning your last game of the year.”
Jets goalie Fredrik Meurling finished with 23 saves between the pipes, allowing just a Nick Spolec goal late in the second period.
Justin Renzi contributed a pair of assists for the Jets.
Minnesota netminders Brady Boudreau and Josh Greune combined on a 19-save effort.
The national championship game is slated for 11:30 a.m. tomorrow at Lawler Arena on the campus of Merrimack College.
Sunday, the Jets finished the round robin with a 5-1 win over the Chicago Cougars and a 7-3 victory over the Connecticut Nighthawks.
Against Chicago, Anthony Cinato scored twice, while Brady Hanson, German and Ceccarini added singles.
Renzi and Jaylen Dziegelewski posted two assists apiece and Meurling made 28 saves.
In the win over the Nighthawks, Jets captain Jeremy Schwartz tallied three goals and Jhuwon Davis and Rhett Limback recorded a goal and an assist each.
Conner Graham and Joey Bruce added goals, while Justin Song, Thornton and German each registered a pair of assists to back Meurling’s 27 stops in goal
“We got a big game from the guys today (against Connecticut),” Quenneville said. “Freddy was solid between the pipes and made key saves in the second period, in particular. Jeremy Schwartz led the way today and had a huge game with his three goals. Our guys as five-man units controlled the game. It’s another great opportunity to play in the semis tomorrow, and these guys earned it with all the adversity and tough competition.”
Streaming of the national championship game will be available on www.HockeyTV.com.
