ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – Brodie Thornton’s goal 10:35 into overtime Friday night lifted the Metro Jets past the Granite City Lumberjacks 3-2 and into the Fraser Cup National Tournament championship game Saturday afternoon.
Jeremy Schwartz scored the Jets’ other two goals and Brian Tallieu finished with 30 saves in goal.
“I saw the play, and after we won the draw, I knew to get to the net,” said Thornton. “All year, we have counted on our points to get pucks to the net and I simply went to the position in case the shot didn’t go in. Just a great team win, and I’m glad I got to contribute with this talented group.”
“Nothing better than looking up after a cheap shot at my buddies celebrating above me.”
The game was also a rematch of the 2017 then-Silver Cup championship game, which Granite City won.
“Tonight was a great playoff game, plain and simple,” Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville said. “Both teams came out and put it on the line. Both goalies made big saves and both teams had some sustained pressure. I thought we controlled the majority of the game and would have liked to see some of our guys rewarded for their chances, but we never really go that bounce. When Granite City got that lucky goal in the third, our guys stuck to the process and we knew we would be able to knock one in.”
“In the end, we got the two big goals we needed and maybe we will get the bounces tomorrow. Either way, I’m proud of them for believing they would get rewarded after all the shots and frustration. Now, we need to move on now and focus on tomorrow, which we’ve all been working for.”
David Mulligan made 41 saves for Granite City and Braden Altena and Owen Sikich scored.
The St. Louis Jr. Blues blanked the La Crosse Freeze in the other Fraser Cup semifinal and will play the Jets Saturday at 2:30p.m. Eastern from the Canlan Ice Sports.
“We regroup after tonight’s win and just take care of ourselves for the night,” said Thornton. “Get up, stretch, eat, and great ready to play Metro Jets hockey tomorrow.”
All Fraser Cup games are being streamed on www.hockeytv.com.
