MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – In what was perhaps an instant classic, the MJDP team scored late to down the Metro Jets 3-2 Friday afternoon at Mount Clemens Ice Arena.
Lucas Millmine’s second goal of the game at 19:44 of the third period snapped a 2-2 tie to win it for the MJDP.
“Both teams came out with a lot of energy,” said Jets associate coach Jake Howie, who was behind the bench for the MJDP. “At times, we were lazy and sloppy, but for the most part, we played a good 50-minute hockey game and found a couple bounces that went our way.”
Millmine also added an assist for a three-point game.
Oliver McClough, with a goal and an assist, opened the scoring 24 seconds into the first period, giving the MJDP an early 1-0 lead.
Robert Grasso picked up three assists in the win, while Ugo Lollier and Tyler Husted scored for the Jets.
In goal, Andrew Parmentier made 46 saves for the win and Taylor White stopped 28 in suffering the defeat on his 20th birthday.
The game also marked Jets broadcaster Matt Prieur’s 300th hockey broadcast.
Saturday night, the Jets rebounded with a 10-0 win over the Battle Creek Kernels at The Rink Battle Creek.
Carson MacKenzie notched the 15-save shutout and Mason Cole went for three goals and an assist in a game that was scoreless after 20 minutes.
“Ran into a goalie (Galvin Reagan) who was making big saves again in the first period, but we finally got that first one and the floodgates opened up after that,” said Jets associate head coach Jamie Lovell. “Obviously, that second period was the difference (eight goals) and we just played smart the rest of the way.”
Michael Lucia contributed two goals and an assist, Carson Redd a goal and three assists, and Seve Litz added a goal and a pair of helpers.
Jack Noonan, Luke Gaffney and Lollier all scored one each, while Brock Hart chipped in three assists and Carson Finney and Ethan Hellman tacked on two assists apiece.
Reagan, Joe Weber and Anders Smith combined to make 36 saves.
Earlier Saturday at the SportONE/Parkview Icehouse in Fort Wayne, Ind., the MJDP fell 3-2 to the Fort Wayne Spacemen in an eight-round shootout and the Metro Jets Elite team lost 3-2 in overtime to the Spacemen.
For the MJDP, Millmine and River Lewis each had a goal and an assist and Austin Muirhead finished with 25 saves in goal.
“Thought we came out and played our most complete game of the season,” said Howie. “Unfortunately, we ran into a hot goaltender tonight (Maxim Zinchenko, 29 saves). Overall, really happy with the effort and our play and getting at least one point on the road is something to be happy about.”
Alex Toussaint and Hunter Mangan scored in regulation for Fort Wayne, who got the shootout winner from Danylo Shpak.
Peter Spiridonakos had a goal and an assist and twin brother John Spiridonakos also scored in the Jets Elite team’s setback.
Zach Robert was sharp in goal making 40 saves.
“The boys started off strong, but we could not put a full 60 minutes together,” Jets associate coach Tina Ciraulo said. “We need to get back to work on Monday and focus on the little things.
Samuel Baldry tallied the winner for the Spacemen. Will Moynahan and Joe Richardson potted the other goals and Timur Teplitskyi added two assists.
Brendan Kusbel made 50 saves for the win between the pipes.
Just two games this coming week as the Jets are on the road to play the Buffalo Stampede from Cornerstone Arena in Lockport, N.Y., Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. and Wednesday at 12:30 p.m.
All USPHL games are available on FloHockey.tv.
