TOLEDO, Ohio – Alex Schauburger leads the Metro Jets in scoring this season and added to his totals with the game-winning goal at 19:17 of the third period Wednesday night to give the Jets a come-from-behind 3-2 win over the Toledo Cherokee at the Team Toledo IceHouse.
Just 11 seconds into a five-minute power play, Schaumburger’s goal beat Toledo goalie Andrew Quarles up high. Quarles replaced starter Joey Cormier at 9:48 of the third period.
“Very intense game, especially in Toledo, a place where absolutely no one likes us,” said Schaumburger. “We were able to deplete the emotional part of the game which led to the success late in the third. The game-winner was just a shot from a roll off the wall. We’ve been working on that type of chance and opportunity all week preparing for this game.
“Lucky for me, it developed in our favor, and I was able to get the shot through high blocker.”
After Kieran Carlile gave Toledo an early 1-0 lead at 4:05 of the first period, Devon Mastay answered for the Jets at 6:54.
The game remained 1-1 until Lucas Rumburger gave Toledo the lead at 14:10 of the third period, only to have Alex Bedenko tie it at 17:10, setting the stage for Schaumburger’s heroics.
“Toledo came out hard, and we knew they were going to come out hard playing in their own barn,” said Jets assistant coach Tina Ciraulo. “They looked look a different team from last Saturday night’s game (in Mount Clemens, a 5-2 Jets win). In the first, we weren’t playing our game. The boys picked it up in the second and definitely in the third with (Will) Augustine playing strong in net for us and a huge goal by ‘Schaumie’ that won it.
“It definitely felt good getting the win.”
Augustine finished with 26 saves for the win, while Cormier made 23 and Quarles three for Toledo.
The Jets next play in Columbus Friday night against the Mavericks. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. at the OhioHealth Chiller North.
All USPHL games are available on HockeyTV.com.
