MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – The Metro Jets and MJDP teams played four games this past weekend, with the squads going a combined 3-1 against their opponents.
The MJDP defeated both the Motor City Gamblers Friday night and Fort Wayne Spacemen Sunday afternoon on home ice at Mount Clemens Ice Arena, while the Jets fell in Toledo Friday night before rebounding and downing the Columbus Mavericks at home Saturday night.
Kicking off the weekend, Robert Vanderdonck collected two goals and an assist in the MJDP’s 5-3 win over the Gamblers.
Lukas Nies scored once with an assist and Ryan Elmblad, Alek John and Robert Grasso each notched a pair of helpers to back Taylor White’s 26 saves in goal.
“It was good to get the win and it was an entertaining game to watch and be a part of,” Jets associate coach Adam Morrison said. “They got an early lead, and it was this group’s first time playing from behind. We had a good pushback and tied it up shortly after. Our first period, we did a good job using our speed supporting the puck to create offense and earned all of our goals. They came out hard in the second period and our game got sloppy, but it was good to see the guys turn it around in the third to finish the game and get the win.”
Nolan Salayko and Ethan Smith also scored in the win.
For Motor City, Donovan Ascensio, Jayden Tkaczuk and Brian Bell scored with Larkin Dolan and Robert Allport combining to stop 27 shots in goal.
At the Team Toledo IceHouse, Yarne Veterewyck, Steven Miller and Alex Schaumburger scored, and Dylan Eliason made 42 saves, but the Jets dropped a 6-3 decision to the Cherokee.
“Not much to say,” said Jets associate head coach Jamie Lovell. “We got outplayed in every aspect of the game but despite that, we still had an opportunity to win the hockey game tied halfway through the third period and had our looks to take the lead. They got the timely save and goals and they deserved it.”
Nicklas Millhorn posted three goals and an assist for Toledo, while Jason Crossland had a goal and an assist, Cameron Reel and Oliver McClough each scored, Dominik McNamara added three assists and Brett LoGelfo, Ryan Stanley, and Kolin Leduc picked up two helpers each.
Frank Murphy kicked aside 25 shots for the win between the pipes.
Saturday night, the Jets came back with a 7-0 shutout over the Mavericks as Chad Noetzel’s hat trick and Andreas Fleutot’s goal and two assists led the way offensively and Rocco Stolz earned the shutout with a 21-save outing.
“It’s good to bounce back and get the win here and, hopefully, carry it on to the next game,” said Noetzel. “I have to give a shout out to my linemates (Carson) Finney and ‘Mayo’ (Ethan Hellman). Right place, right time (for the goals) and it feels good, for sure.”
Hellman had a goal and an assist, while Dakota Kott and Joey Carpenter scored and Finney and Nick Minghine tacked on two assists each.
“Obviously, every day is a new day and a new game,” Morrison said. “I thought we had a really good start and the guys were playing with a chip on their shoulder. It was good to see the guys come back with a little bit of uregncy tonight.”
Columbus goalie Brenden Cobb finished with 39 saves in taking the defeat.
Wrapping up the weekend Sunday afternoon, Bennett Sheppard’s goal at 12:06 of the third period was all the offense the MJDP needed in a 1-0 win over Fort Wayne.
Andrew Parmentier notched the shutout in goal making 28 saves.
“I thought both goalies played really well, and both teams had scoring opportunities throughout the game,” said Morrison. “We’re excited to get the two points, and those are the types of games you want to play in, the one- or two-goal games.”
In net for the Spacemen, Bryce Dunnigan stopped 26 shots for the loss.
This weekend, the MJDP plays a pair in Chicago against the Cougars from Fifth Third Arena, Saturday night at 7:20 p.m. Eastern and Sunday at 2:20 p.m. Eastern, while the Jets are home for two, hosting the Battle Creek Kernels Friday night at 7:30 p.m. and the Cincinnati Jr. Cyclones Saturday night at 5:30 p.m.
All USPHL games are available on HockeyTV.com.
