WEST DUNDEE, Ill. – The MJDP opened its two-game series with the Chicago Cougars Friday night with a 3-1 loss to the Cougars at Canlan Ice Sports.
After a scoreless first period, Chicago took a 1-0 lead at 14:55 of the second period on a Simon Motew goal, but Seth Beagle answered for the MJDP at 15:27.
Jozef Martancik then made it 2-1 on a Chicago power play at 16:59 of the third period before sealing it with an empty-net goal at 19:13.
“That game had a playoff-like atmosphere,” Jets associate coach Jamie Lovell said. “It was back and forth, both teams were playing well. We just came up on the wrong end of it at the end. I just wish we could have played the third period 5 on 5 more. We got into penalty trouble and took away from any momentum we had been building.
“Whether the penalties were questionable or not, we can’t, as team, allow that to happen.”
Caden Fisher stopped 29 shots in suffering the defeat, while Michael Lenhart made 34 saves for the win between the pipes.
“These are the games we want for our players and their development, so we will learn from what happened here tonight and come back tomorrow ready for battle,” Lovell said.
The two teams play again Saturday night at 9 p.m. Eastern.
All USPHL games are available on HockeyTV.com.
