Soderberg stops 33, Purton scores late, but MJDP falls Saturday night in Fort Wayne

January 15, 2022

Soderberg stops 33, Purton scores late, but MJDP falls Saturday night in Fort Wayne

Posted on January 15, 2022August 28, 2025 by metrojetshockey

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FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The MJDP went into the SportONE/Parkview Icehouse Saturday night and couldn’t solve Fort Wayne Spacemen goalie Mikhail Melnikov until late in the third period.

By that time, it was too little, too late, and the Spacemen took a 4-1 win.

“Lost opportunity tonight,” said Metro Jets associate head coach Jamie Lovell. “We had a chance to put some separation between us and Fort Wayne and we let it slip away. Credit to their goalie tonight who made some big saves that took away any chance we had.

“Now it’s going to be a fight right down to the end of the season.”

Tommy Purton (pictured front) broke Melnikov’s shutout bid at 14:07 of the third period.

Freddy Soderberg (pictured below) finished with 33 saves for the MJDP, while Melnikov made 37 for Fort Wayne.

Next weekend, the MJDP plays two in Chicago against the Cougars at Fifth Third Arena. Puck drop is 8 p.m. EST Saturday and Sunday at 1:40 p.m.

All USPHL games are available on HockeyTV.com.

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I trusted Coach Q’s process and just worked as hard as I could every day. He helped develop me and helped me earn an opportunity to play in the NAHL.

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I was disappointed I didn’t make the NAHL coming from AAA hockey, but I knew when I signed with the Jets, I would get another chance. And I did.

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Metro and the coaches have been great when it comes to developing and moving up players to NAHL. I’m so happy I chose to play for the Jets.

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