MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – The MJDP started out slow but rallied to score four unanswered goals in the third period to come back and defeat the Detroit Fighting Irish 4-2 Friday night at Mount Clemens Ice Arena.
The game was scoreless after 20 minutes and the Fighting Irish led 2-0 through two periods on a pair of power-play goals.
“This was a character win for these guys,” said Metro Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville. “Very proud of them. We challenged them between the second and third periods, as far as how to respond, especially to some adversity. We don’t typically play teams like this for a reason, and it was frustrating. It was just a tiring game, but I’m proud of our guys for being more disciplined, more mature.”
In the third period, Steven Miller, Jonathan Martin, Sam Westerberg and Will Boyer all scored, with Joey Carpenter assisting on three and Ethan Smith picking up two helpers.
Westerberg added an assist for a multi-point game as well to go along with 26 saves from goaltender Freddy Soderberg.
“It’s a huge win for us,” said Westerberg (pictured front). “This was a very important game for us to stay at the top of our division with Chicago.”
Also Friday night, the Toledo Cherokee knocked off the Jets 3-1 at the Team Toledo Ice House (pictured below).
Josh German spoiled the shutout with 10 seconds left in the third period and Louis-Pierre Fortier finished with 27 saves between the pipes.
“We got beat in every aspect of the game,” said Jets associate head coach Jamie Lovell. “The only positive tonight for us was LP. He made some great saves to keep the score close.
“The best thing is we get a second chance here tomorrow night to respond.”
The Jets host Toledo at 4:45 p.m. Saturday while the MJDP is on the road to play the Motor City Hockey Club at 4:10 p.m. from the Redford Ice Arena.
All USPHL games are available on HockeyTV.com.
