Saturday, December 25, 2010

James brings character, leadership to Waterford

WATERFORD, MI - Morgan James is hoping his last year of junior hockey will be more memorable than the past couple years.

After taking a break from the game after his last year of midget hockey three years ago dealing with personal problems, James signed with the Metro Jets in the offseason and was recently named team captain.

Making the decision to return to hockey was the easy part and once he laced up the skates for the Jets’ training camp, the comeback was complete.

“I signed with the Jets because I wanted to get back into the game that I’ve always played and loved,” said James, a 20-year-old from Commerce Township. “I called (Metro GM) Butch (Wolfe), he had me come out, and that was that. After taking a couple years off going through a rough time in my life, now I’m back and I regret ever stopping (playing hockey). The adjustment hasn’t been a problem.”

With just one assist through 20 games this season, James does lead the team with 103 penalty minutes, also second overall in the North American 3 Hockey League.

More than points, though, are James’ desire to improve on a daily basis and continue playing hockey after this season.

“Morgan’s come a long way since he joined us,” Metro associate coach Jamie Hayden said. “He’s a good leader in the locker room and on the ice, he’ll definitely step up for any one of his teammates. He can also play forward or defense and has done anything we’ve asked of him.

“As for being captain, I think he was a good selection. He’s never been a captain at any level of hockey before and growing up, a lot of teams pick their three best players as captains and Morgan was probably never one of those players. When you get to this level, character plays a big role in who you pick as a captain.”

Racking up the penalty minutes has always been a part of the way James plays the game. He realizes he’s not going to be a 30-goal scorer or a top-four defenseman, so playing the physical side of hockey is the role he fills to a ‘T.’ Being 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds only helps matters.

”I’m going to do whatever it takes to keep playing this game at a competitive level and if that means fighting, then bring it on,” boasted James. “I’ve always been a bigger guy on the ice, so I’ve been pushed to be physical. It’s my strongest and favorite point of ice hockey.”

James wants to come back from the holiday break ready to get back to business and start the Jets’ push for a playoff spot. Looking even further ahead, James reiterated that continuing his career is more than just a hope.

”Come the New Year, we will be better than ever before,” said James. “Everyone has a better feel for each other now and it’s time to dominate. After this season will be a long summer of work and then hopefully some good hockey.”

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

The Jets stumbled a bit last weekend in getting swept at home by the Peoria Mustangs, but rebounded with a 6-4 win in Flint Tuesday night.

The visitors from Illinois won 3-0 on Saturday night and then 7-2 Sunday afternoon at Lakeland Arena.

“Not many positives to take from last weekend,” said Hayden. “Eric Trunick played well Saturday night in the second and third periods, but didn’t show up in the first period and that was pretty much the difference in the game. Sunday, we just didn’t bring the effort we needed to play a team like Peoria, who is in fourth place and battling for one of the top spots in the league.”

Trunick (Commerce Township) made 28 saves in Saturday’s loss and then suffered the loss again Sunday despite playing only 22 seconds.

Matt Braun started in goal, but was pulled for Trunick after Mason Riley scored a shorthanded goal at 11:55 of the first period to give Peoria a 2-0 lead. Kyle Hamilton scored again shorthanded on Trunick at 12:17 and Trunick was yanked for Braun.

With the Jets scoring twice, Peoria’s third goal (Hamilton’s) stood as the game-winner and Trunick the goalie of record.

Cameron Bazin (Troy) and Matt Stirling (Dexter) scored for Metro and Braun finished with 28 stops.

Riley and Brandon Neville each had two goals for Peoria.

Tuesday night at Iceland Arena, it was a 3-2 game in favor of the Jets after two periods before three goals in a 68-second span to start the third period from Tommy Kilgore (Pinckney), Stirling and Brett Grech (Hartland) gave the Jets a four-goal cushion at the time.

Stirling and Kilgore scored in the first period and Dan Hudson (Gregory) added a goal in the middle frame.

Trunick finished with 46 saves between the pipes for the Jets, now 9-17-1-0.

For Flint, Andrew Lay had two goals and an assist, Nate Scurfield a goal and an assist and Stephen Hibbard three assists. Nick Szalacinski also scored in the loss and Dominic Orlando and Andrew Habasevich combined for 24 saves.

Metro’s next action comes Jan. 8-9, 2011 in Pittsburgh before a home-and-home with Battle Creek the following weekend.

JET STREAKS

Grech made his return to the lineup last Saturday night after being out with a deeply lacerated thigh suffered Nov. 7 against St. Louis … The Jets have four players named Matt on the roster (Braun, Elswick, Stemkoski, Stirling) and three players named Mike (Corder, Denston, Moroso). They also have two Jordans (Jones, Reames) and two Tommys (Burns, Kilgore). Burns and Kilgore are also both Pinckney natives … Moroso, Stirling and Kilgore have each played in all 26 games this season.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Chicago native Anthony Cacciatore played on the Jets’ blueline during the 2000-2001 season and after that season, he played two years of Division I club hockey at Robert Morris College and then two years of pro hockey in the United Hockey League with Muskegon and Port Huron.

Cacciatore, now 29, has come full-circle as he now lives and works in Chicago operating his own business as a private and personal chef.

Photo by Andy Grossman

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Jets go into break with win on the road over Flint

FLINT, MI – The Metro Jets topped the Flint Jr. Generals, 6-4, Tuesday night at Iceland Arena to go into the holiday break on a high note.

A 3-2 game in favor of the Jets after two periods, Metro scored three goals in a 68-second span to start the third period as Tommy Kilgore (1:03), Matt Stirling (1:47) and Brett Grech (2:11) tallied to give the Jets a four-goal cushion at the time.

Stirling and Kilgore scored in the first period and Dan Hudson added a goal in the middle frame.

Eric Trunick finished with 46 saves between the pipes.

For Flint, Andrew Lay had two goals and an assist, Nate Scurfield a goal and an assist and Stephen Hibbard three assists. Nick Szalacinski also scored in the loss and Dominic Orlando and Andrew Habasevich combined for 24 saves.

The Jets (9-17-1-0) are now off until traveling to Pittsburgh for a two-game series Jan. 8-9.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Jets swept at home by tough Peoria squad

WATERFORD, MI – The Metro Jets stumbled a bit this weekend in getting swept at home by the Peoria Mustangs.

The visitors from Illinois won 3-0 on Saturday night and then 7-2 Sunday afternoon at Lakeland Arena.

“Not many positives to take from this weekend,” said Metro associate coach Jamie Hayden. “Eric Trunick played well Saturday night in the second and third periods, but didn’t show up in the first period and that was pretty much the difference in the game. Sunday, we just didn’t bring the effort we needed to play a team like Peoria, who is in fourth place and battling for one of the top spots in the league.”

Trunick (Commerce Township, Mich.) made 28 saves in Saturday’s loss and then suffered the loss again Sunday despite playing only 22 seconds.

Matt Braun (Ramsey, N.J.) started in goal, but was pulled for Trunick after Mason Riley scored a shorthanded goal at 11:55 of the first period to give Peoria a 2-0 lead. Kyle Hamilton scored again shorthanded on Trunick at 12:17 and Trunick was yanked for Braun.

With the Jets scoring twice, Peoria’s third goal (Hamilton’s) stood as the game-winner and Trunick the goalie of record.

Cameron Bazin (Troy, Mich.) and Matt Stirling (Dexter, Mich.) scored for Metro and Braun finished with 28 stops.

Riley and Brandon Neville each had two goals for Peoria.

The Jets (8-17-1-0) play in Flint Tuesday night and then break for the holidays. Metro’s next action comes Jan. 8-9, 2011 in Pittsburgh before a home-and-home with Battle Creek the following weekend.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Braun hopes first win of season leads to more

WATERFORD, MI – Matt Braun picked a pretty good time to get his first win of the season last Sunday for the Metro Jets.

Playing both ends of a two-game series in Chicago against the North American 3 Hockey League’s top team, the Chicago Hitmen, Braun rebounded from a loss Saturday night to make 31 saves in regulation and overtime and then stop all five shooters in the shootout as the Jets won the game, 3-2.

Braun’s efforts may not have been the material for a Hollywood motion picture, but it was still a great moment for the 18-year-old New Jersey native, Eric Trunick’s backup much of the season.

“It was great finally getting my first win and getting it against the first place team made it even better,” said Braun. “Before the shootout, I was pretty nervous. This was my first shootout in juniors. During the shootout, I calmed down a bit and just did what I had to do and focus on the puck and not fall for any dekes. After the shootout, it felt great knowing that we just beat the first place team.”

The only non-Michigander on the Metro roster, Braun said being away from home for the first time has been “a wonderful experience” and that he hopes the Jets can help him attain higher levels of hockey.

“(Goaltending) coach (Randy) Wilson and (head) coach (Jason) Cirone have been great helping me get my game where it needs to be to move on,” noted Braun. “I don’t feel that I pattern myself after any goalie. I just play how I have to play.”

And play he does. Just look at the 2009-2010 season.

Last year, Braun won an NJSIAA/Devils Public B state championship with Ramsey High School (just outside New York City), making 40 saves and posting a shutout in the title game. He had hoped to stay local to play junior hockey, but when that option fell through, he had another opportunity just around the corner.

“I came in contact with the Jets through Randy,” explained Braun. “He has helped me out a lot this past summer with finding a team to play for and when things weren’t going so well for me back in New Jersey, I decided to give him a call and he said he would call coach Cirone. As soon as I know it, I’m packing up my stuff to come and play out here.”

Now with a boatload of confidence, Braun is hoping that rubs off on his teammates going into the final three games of the calendar year.

”I feel that our team is on the upswing now and we’re going to do a lot better in the second half of the season,” Braun said. As for myself, I just hope to be the best I can and help my team out as much as possible.”

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

The Jets ended their losing streak Sunday afternoon in the shootout win over the Chicago Hitmen.

After Mike Moroso (Macomb, Mich.) and Tommy Burns (Pinckney, Mich.) scored in the second period, Matt Stirling (Dexter, Mich.) tallied the only goal in the shootout

Saturday night, the Hitmen topped the Jets, 6-2.

Moroso and Tommy Kilgore (Pinckney, Mich.) each had a goal and an assist and Stirling assisted on both goals.

Braun made 43 stops between the pipes.

The Jets (8-15-1-0) host the Peoria Mustangs this weekend at Lakeland Arena for two games. Game time Saturday night is 7:40 p.m. with a 1:20 p.m. Sunday matinee. Metro then plays Tuesday night in Flint before breaking for the holidays.

“Beating Chicago let us know that we can put it to any team out there,” Metro captain Morgan James said. “We are a good team and we are going to let it be known. Sunday’s game was very exciting, but that’s over now. We've got other games ahead. Peoria is solid team and it will take the same effort to beat them.”

JET STREAKS

Forward Matt Stemkoski (Novi, Mich.) has two goals and two assists in six games since being acquired from Toledo on Nov. 12 … Moroso, Metro’s leading scorer with 13 goals and 25 points, has six of those points (two goals, four assists) over his last five games … Stirling is also on a mini-streak with six points (goal, five assists) in his last three games.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Karl Merkle, a forward on the 1995-1996 Jets team, still lives in Waterford is now an area manager for Honeybaked Ham.

Merkle’s younger brother, David, played for the Jets last season.

Photo by Andy Grossman

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Captain's Corner - Beating Chicago, snow storm driving, Peoria

Each week, Metro Jets captain Morgan James will chime in on the current situation of the team and discuss what’s on his mind.

-- On Sunday's win and the mood in the locker room after the game.
We've been on a bit of a losing streak and it was nice to break that with a win against the best team in the league. Everyone was obviosly pleased with the win. It’s been a while since we've had that feeling.

-- On the bus ride coming home.
On the way home, we drove through the first big snow storm of the year and it took twice as long to get home as it did to get there. I’m just glad we didn’t have to make that journey after two losses to Chicago.

-- On not getting too excited about beating Chicago and preparing for Peoria this weekend.
Beating Chicago let us know that we can put it to any team out there. We are a good team and we are going to let it be known. Sunday’s game was very exciting, but that’s over now. We've got other games ahead. Peoria is solid team and it will take the same effort to beat them.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Jets snap losing streak against NA3HL-best Hitmen

CHICAGO - The Metro Jets ended their losing streak Sunday afternoon and did it against the top team in the North American 3 Hockey League by taking a 3-2 shootout win over the Chicago Hitmen.

After Mike Moroso (Macomb, Mich.) and Tommy Burns (Pinckney, Mich.) scored in the second period, Matt Stirling (Dexter, Mich.) tallied the only goal in the shootout as Matt Braun (Ramsey, N.J.) stopped all five Chicago shooters.

Braun finished with 31 saves for his first win of the season.

Saturday night, the Hitmen topped the Jets, 6-2.

Moroso and Tommy Kilgore (Pinckney, Mich.) each had a goal and an assist and Stirling assisted on both goals.

Braun made 43 stops between the pipes.

The Jets (8-15-1-0) host the Peoria Mustangs next weekend at Lakeland Arena for two games. Game time Saturday night is 7:50 p.m. with a 1:20 p.m. Sunday matinee. Metro then plays Tuesday night in Flint before breaking for the holidays.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Metro vet Denston keeping team loose

WATERFORD, MI - Mike Denston may not have a letter on his jersey, but he speaks like a true leader.

He knows that there is a difference between winning and losing, but also knows that at the end of the day, hockey is just a game. Denston has been trying to exude that attitude onto his Metro Jets teammates recently as the team is stuck in a losing streak.

“I've just been trying to make sure that everyone is still having fun,” said Denston, a 19-year-old forward. “Whether it's going to team dinners or coming over to my house to play NHL (video games) or just hanging out with the team, we can't beat ourselves up too bad mentally because that's what happened last year and it wasn't fun.

“We've got to keep working hard and do as (head) coach (Jason Cirone) tells us, but we also need to have fun and not lose our heads.”

Even as it seems the Jets’ last win was eons ago, Denston feels more are just around the corner.

“You can definitely tell that we’re not happy with the way things have been going for us, but that hasn't stopped us from working harder every time we get on the ice,” Denston said. “We just have to go back to doing the things that coach has taught us and we'll start winning again.”

A native of nearby White Lake, Denston grew up following the Jets and started his junior hockey career last season with a 17-point output for his hometown team.

This season, Denston is on pace to eclipse his 2009-2010 point total. More than that, though, is the notion that Denston wants to become a better all-around player on the ice.

“I think the biggest difference this year compared to last year is how serious everyone is taking the season,” said Denston. “It seemed like last year, a lot of guys just showed up to be here. This year, we have a team that comes to the rink looking to get better whether it's a practice or game.

“I'm expecting us to finish hard and win a lot of games. We've been working very hard in practice and we just have to transfer it all to a game for the full 60 minutes and we'll be fine.”

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

After being off last weekend, the Jets (7-14-1-0) travel to suburban Chicago this weekend to take on the league’s top team, the Chicago Hitmen, in a two-game series Saturday and Sunday.

Game time Saturday is 5:30 p.m. EST, while Sunday’s game goes at 3:00 p.m.

Chicago is 18-5-1-0 this year and has scored an NA3HL-best 132 goals, with captain Quentin Bicknase accounting for 21 of them. In goal, Nick Clarke has fashioned an 11-1-0 record with a 1.94 goals-against average, .920 save percentage and a pair of shutouts.

The Hitmen swept the Jets in a two-game set in Waterford back on Oct. 30-31.

This time, the Jets are looking for opposite results.

“I can tell you we are physically ready,” Metro captain Morgan James said. “We've worked our tails off the last two weeks prepping for these games. The mental part, which we have, is what it’s going to take to pull it off. We just need to make sure everyone brings it to Chicago.”

Metro returns home next weekend for two games with the Peoria Mustangs at Lakeland Arena. After a road game against the Flint Jr. Generals on Dec. 21, the Jets sit idle for the holiday break, next playing in Pittsburgh Jan. 8-9.

JET STREAKS

The Jets released defenseman Brennan Borowiak (Gaylord) last Saturday and forward Ryan Kelly on Tuesday and signed defenseman Will Shier (Sterling Heights) on Monday.

Borowiak had three assists in 18 games for Metro, while Kelly tallied three assists in six games.

Shier, 18, started the season in the Northern Pacific Hockey League with the Yellowstone Quake and recorded a goal and four assists in 14 games.

Defenseman Austin Shipaila (Wyoming), released by the Jets on Nov. 25, signed with Battle Creek last Friday.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Forward Dominic Osman, who played for Metro during the 1999-2000 season, is now in his fourth pro season and second with the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye.

After playing for the Jets, the 28-year-old Dearborn native played for the Soo Indians, Capital Centre Pride and Cleveland Barons in the North American Hockey League and then four years of Division I college hockey at Lake Superior State University.

Photo by Andy Grossman/Detailed Images

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Captain's Corner - Chicago, changes to team, leadership

Each week, Metro Jets captain Morgan James will chime in on the current situation of the team and discuss what’s on his mind.

-- On having no games for almost two weeks off and the team being physically and mentally ready for Chicago this weekend.

I can tell you we are physically ready. We've worked our tails off the last two weeks prepping for these games. The mental part, which we have, is what it’s going to take to pull it off. We just need to make sure everyone brings it to Chicago.

-- On head coach Jason Cirone making changes to the makeup of the team.

Coach is determined to make us a winning team and will do whatever it takes. He’ll make changes until he accomplishes that and I know whatever he does is in the team’s best interest.

-- On his leadership style and if he is more than just a big guy who can throw punches to get his point across.

I lead by example by playing my role proudly for my team and most importantly, with hard work.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Elswick quickly finding his scoring touch

WATERFORD, MI – Matt Elswick started this season for the Metro Jets going 17 games before scoring his first goal.

He followed that milestone up with two more goals in the next three games.

Elswick’s confidence, obviously, is peaking and he’s admitted to not gripping his stick as tightly after scoring goal No. 1 on Nov. 20 at home against Pittsburgh.

“It was definitely a huge relief to finally put the puck in the net,” said Elswick, an 18-year-old native of Gaylord, Mich. “We all talk about how we plan on celebrating our next goal, but that was the last thing on my mind at the time. I was just so overwhelmed to finally bury one.

“This has been a big jump from high school hockey – much faster, much tougher, and a lot more talent.”

Still, being put on a forward line with Justin Bennett and Mike Denston has been paying off in recent games.

“I get along with both of them really well both on and off the ice,” Elswick said. “The two of them talk to me on the ice, which is a big help to me knowing where they are.”

Looking ahead, Elswick has both short-term and long-term aspirations in mind.

“I would enjoy shooting for college hockey and be able to study and get my education as well,” noted Elswick. “I expect as a team to start winning again and make the playoffs. Personally, I would like to continue getting my points and help my team win some games and complete our goals.”

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

The Jets played a strong game, but fell to the Toledo Cherokee, 8-5, Sunday afternoon at Lakeland Arena.

Five different players scored for the Jets, including newcomer Bryan Marks (Milford, Mich.), who scored Metro’s first goal at 15:20 of the first period.

Marks, 18, signed with Metro last Friday after starting the season in Toledo.

Elswick added a goal and an assist, while Bennett, Matt Stemkoski (Novi, Mich.) and Tommy Kilgore (Pinckney, Mich.) also scored.

Denston and Matt Stirling (Dexter, Mich.) each recorded two assists and Eric Trunick (Commerce Township, Mich.) finished with 35 saves in goal.

For Toledo, Cameron Rossman scored three goals and Cory Bastian had two goals and an assist in the win.

The Jets (7-14-1-0) are off idle this weekend and don't play again until Dec. 11-12 when they hit the road to play the Chicago Hitmen.

JET STREAKS

Defenseman Austin Shipaila (Wyoming, Mich.) was released last Thursday. Shipaila was acquired from Pittsburgh on Oct. 15 and had one assist in 11 games with Metro … Marks tallied a goal and an assist during his 12-game stint with Toledo … Goalie Rick Ice (Sterling Heights, Mich.), released by the Jets on Nov. 23, signed with Toledo two days later.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Vinny Pietrangelo, a defenseman on last year’s Metro team, is in his freshman season at Finlandia University in Hancock, Mich.

Finlandia is one of two Division III schools in Michigan with Adrian College being the other.

Pietrangelo, a Traverse City, Mich., native who turns 20 on Dec. 26, leads the Lions with a plus-3 plus/minus rating and recorded his first collegiate point with an assist against Lake Forest College on Nov. 5.

Last season, Pietrangelo registered a goal and eight assists in 47 games for the Jets.

Photo by Andy Grossman/Detailed Images

Monday, November 29, 2010

Metro sunk Sunday afternoon by Cherokee

WATERFORD, MI – The Metro Jets played a strong game, but fell to the Toledo Cherokee, 8-5, Sunday afternoon at Lakeland Arena.

Five different players scored for the Jets, including newcomer Bryan Marks (Milford, Mich.), who scored Metro’s first goal at 15:20 of the first period.

Marks signed with Metro last Friday after starting the season in Toledo.

Matt Elswick (Gaylord, Mich.) added a goal and an assist, while Justin Bennett (Brighton, Mich.), Matt Stemkoski (Novi, Mich.) and Tommy Kilgore (Pinckney, Mich.) also scored.

Matt Stirling (Dexter, Mich.) and Mike Denston (White Lake, Mich.) each recorded two assists and Eric Trunick (Commerce Township, Mich.) finished with 35 saves in goal.

For Toledo, Cameron Rossman scored three goals and Cory Bastian had two goals and an assist in the win.

The Jets (7-14-1-0) are off next weekend and don't play again until Dec. 11-12 when they hit the road to play the Chicago Hitmen.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Burns searching for college opportuunity

Tommy Burns has been in this situation before.

As a 20-year-old playing for the Metro Jets, Burns is fast approaching the end of his junior hockey eligibility.

Two years ago after playing for Pinckney High School, Burns came down with mononucleosis and was forced to take a year off of hockey.

Was that the end of his hockey career? Nope. And he hopes to still be playing the sport he loves this time next season.

“It killed me thinking that that could have been my last year playing competitively,” said Burns. “Before the start of this season, I decided I was going to lace back up the skates in hopes of continuing my hockey career, which I am doing right now. I hope to continue next year playing for a university.”

This year with the Jets, Burns is among the team’s top scorers with nine goals and 20 points in 19 games in Waterford. He started the season in Flint and after one game with the Jr. Generals was acquired by the Jets.

“We had known about Burnsy for a few years and knew he had a decent scoring touch,” Metro GM Butch Wolfe said. “He’s been playing well on a line with Brett Grech and it’s my hope we’ll be seeing both of them move on to the next level next year.”

“All throughout my hockey career I've always been a leader in the points colum,” noted Burns. “I love scoring goals, but making a nice play to get an assist is also a huge part of my game.

"When I came to the Jets after the start of the season, I was a little nervious and I moved through a few lines, but when I got paired up with Grech, there was instent chemistry. I have never been so in sync with a linemate like him. It seems like no matter where we are on the ice, we can find each other.”

And while Metro is currently looking to battle out of a losing skid, Burns feels a little offense from him, as well as others, can help end the slump.

”We have great chemisty as a team and I feel we are about to break through this slump at anytime now,” Burns explained. “As long as we start playing our game and believing in the system, we will turn our record right around.”

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

The Jets took a single point last weekend with an overtime loss and a regulation loss at Lakeland Arena to the Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins.

Saturday night, Charles Williams' goal 48 seconds into the extra session won it for Pittsburgh, 3-2, after Dan Hudson (Gregory) had tied the game at 2-all 16:53 into the second period.

Matt Elswick (Gaylord) scored the first goal for the Jets (also his first of the season), while Eric Trunick (Commerce Township) made 32 saves in goal.

Sunday afternoon, Matt Stemkoski (Novi), acquired last week from Toledo, scored his first goal in a Metro uniform in an 11-3 defeat.

Matt Stirling (Dexter) and Tommy Kilgore (Pinckney) added the other goals for the Jets, Mike Moroso (Macomb) tacked on a pair of assists and Trunick finished with 33 stops.

Then Wednesday night in Flint, the Jets suffered a 6-2 defeat to the Jr. Generals.

Elswick and Burns tallied for Metro and Matt Braun made 44 saves. Newcomer Jake Schlacht (Allen Park) assisted on both goals from the blue line in his Jets’ debut after signing with the team earlier this week.

Metro (7-13-1-0) plays at home next Sunday afternoon at 1:20 p.m. against Toledo.

JET STREAKS

Schlacht started the season in the NAHL with Port Huron, going pointless in two games with 11 penalty minutes, before signing with Toledo where he had four assists and 45 penalty minutes in 12 games with the Cherokee. The 19-year-old Schlacht was released by Toledo last Thursday.

The Jets also acquired defenseman Jordan Jones (Toledo, Ohio) from the Cherokee on Tuesday. Jones had two assists in nine games with Toledothis season and also made his Jets debut Wednesday night in Flint.

In other transactions, defenseman Brian O’Loughlin (Franklin, Tenn.) was released Sunday and goalie Rick Ice (Sterling Heights) was released Tuesday. O’Loughlin had one goal in 12 games with the Jets, while Ice did not see any game action for Metro.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Ex-Jets defenseman Ian Cosgrove (2006-2007) is now in his sophomore season at Division III Fredonia State University and has two assists in eight games thus far for the Blue Devils.

Cosgrove appeared in 13 regular season games for the Jets in ’06-07, amassing eight points on three goals and five assists. He also went pointless in the Jets' two playoff games that spring.

In 2008-2009, the Rochester native recorded five goals and 18 assists for 23 points with the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.

Photo by Andy Grossman/Detailed Images

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Captain's Corner - Pittsburgh, O'Loughlin, Thanksgiving

Each week, Metro Jets captain Mike Corder will chime in on the previous weekend, the weekend ahead and the current situation of the team.

-- On last weekend's series against Pittsburgh.

Yeah, we played really well against Pittsburgh on Saturday night. We skated with them, fought for loose pucks, took shots on net, finished our checks, everything that we should be doing. We skated to a tie and then lost in overtime. Maybe that loss in overtime did something to us as a team, maybe fighting that hard against one of the better teams in the league and coming away with an overtime loss took something away from the effort we made. I am not sure what changed between Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, but it seemed like two completely different teams on the ice. We could not do anything right and we weren't able to get it back together after the first two quick ones by Pittsburgh. We embarrassed ourselves, our coach and the organization with the effort we put out on Sunday. Coach made sure that we knew that he was not happy, that much is for sure, but I can tell you that we were not happy with ourselves. We didn't have much time to try to fix things before the game against Flint on Wednesday, but we tried and we will see how things go from here on out.

-- On fellow defenseman Brian O'Loughlin being released and newcomer Jake Schlacht.

It is always tough to see someone go. O'Loughlin played 12 games with us. I don't know too much about Jake at this point. I think that we will need to see how Jake fits in with the team and how the chemistry is affected as we move forward.

-- On what the Jets can be thankful for at this point of the season.

We can all be thankful that we have families that support us in hockey and in life. We can be thankful that we have a coach that cares and is willing to work with us to help us to improve. We can be thankful that we have an organization that gives us an opportunity to continue to play high level hockey and that there is the possibility that we can move on somewhere. We can be thankful for a lot of things that we take for granted, but I think that number one is the support of our families.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Jets get point in weekend set with Pittsburgh

WATERFORD, MI - The Metro Jets took a single point this weekend with an overtime loss and a regulation loss at Lakeland Arena to the Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins.

Saturday night, Charles Williams' goal 48 seconds into the extra session won it for Pittsburgh, 3-2, after Dan Hudson (Gregory, Mich.) had tied the game at 2-all 16:53 into the second period.

Matt Elswick (Gaylord, Mich.) scored the first goal for the Jets (also his first of the season), while Eric Trunick (Commerce Township, Mich.) made 32 saves in goal.

Sunday afternoon, Matt Stemkoski (Novi, Mich.), acquired last week from Toledo, scored his first goal in a Metro uniform in an 11-3 defeat.

Matt Stirling (Dexter, Mich.) and Tommy Kilgore (Pinckney, Mich.) added the other goals for the Jets, Mike Moroso (Macomb, Mich.) tacked on a pair of assists and Trunick finished with 33 stops.

Metro (7-12-1-0) plays in Flint Wednesday night and then at home next Sunday afternoon at 1:20 p.m. against Toledo.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Bennett showing he's more than points for Jets

WATERFORD, MI – Justin Bennett found instant chemistry on his forward line with Mike Denston for a number of reasons.

Though the line for the Metro Jets needed a bit of time to gel, once that happened, it’s been smooth sailing.

“Any time you have new guys from different systems thrown together, there is a rocky start, but me and Denny have picked up each other’s playing styles and know where the other is going to be on the ice at all times,” said Bennett, a native of Brighton, Mich. “Plus, Denny and Benny (each of their nicknames) rhyme.”

With just two goals and seven points thus far, Bennett, who turns 20 the day after Christmas, is more than just points for the Jets.

“Benny is a great leader for us and it was an easy decision when the coaches picked the captains before the season started,” Metro GM Butch Wolfe said. “He’s also been improving in his own end of the rink.”

An assistant captain, Bennett said when he was given the ‘A’ it was a bit of a shock at first.

“I was happily surprised to be named a captain of the Jets,” Bennett said. “I had only been a captain before and never an assistant, but I was eager to take on the role. As a leader, my job is to not show panic and to not overextend my role – just lead by example and the rest will fall into place.

After playing last season for a community college in New York, Bennett left school in search of finding a team to play for in his last year of junior eligibility.

Enter veteran Jets forward Brett Grech.

”I knew about the Jets through Grechy, a longtime pal of mine, who lured me here after things went sour with college,” said Bennett. “I’m glad he did that for me.”

Wolfe is glad, too.

“I know Justin wants to play Division III hockey next year and he certainly has the talent to do so,” said Wolfe. “I believe coming here will get him the exposure he needs to reach that goal.”


LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

The Jets (7-11-0-0) had last weekend off, but host the Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins at Lakeland Arena this weekend for a pair of games.

Game time Saturday night is 7:50 p.m. with a 1:20 p.m. matinee scheduled for Sunday.

“We are fighting to get back to .500, move up in the standings and start a new win streak,” said Metro captain Mike Corder. “Getting all four points is the expectation. I also expect that we will not let up in the games, even for one shift. I expect us to limit their scoring chances. I expect us to throw everything we have at Pittsburgh and then to throw more. Coach (Jason) Cirone expects a lot from the team, the team expects a lot from itself, and I expect a lot from the team.”

Pittsburgh, in just its second season in the NA3HL, won all four meetings last season against the Jets.

“This slump shouldn't continue with all the talent we have,” added Bennett. “We need to just crack down defensively and bury on our opportunities.”


JET STREAKS

Metro acquired defenseman Matt Stemkoski from the Toledo Cherokee last week and the 18-year-old Novi, Mich., native is expected to make his Jets debut this weekend. Stemkoski had a goal and four assists in 14 games this year in Toledo … Goalie Allan Dowler (Oxford, Ohio), released by the Jets last month, was added to the roster of the Battle Creek Jr. Revolution Thursday.


WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Tyler Sims, a goalie on the 2002-2003 Metro team, is now in his third pro season and first with the Tulsa Oilers of the Central Hockey League.

Sims, 25, also played four years at Providence College from 2004-2008 and one season in the North American Hockey League with the Youngstown Phantoms in 2003-2004.

Photo by Andy Grossman/Detailed Images

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Captain's Corner - Practice, off week, readying for Pittsburgh

Each week, Metro Jets captain Mike Corder will chime in on the previous weekend, the weekend ahead and the current situation of the team.

-- On practice last week with no games last weekend.

Practices last week were not as intense as usual to start the week. A week ago Monday, we had more of a shooting/small games practice, mainly due to the fact that we had some guys out with injuries. A week ago Wednesday, we had an optional shoot and skate with the goalies. It was run by our goalie coach Randy Wilson. A week ago Thursday, we had the practice that we would have had on Monday if we didn't have so many injuries. Overall, practice was a bit lighter at the beginning of last week, but we started really cranking it up by the end of the week.

-- On practice changing this week to prepare for Pittsburgh this weekend.

Starting with the skate last Thursday, you could really see and feel the focus and desire from the guys to come out strong against Pittsburgh and get all four points this coming weekend at home. That feeling and intensity carried over to practice this past Monday and we will continue that Wednesday and Thursday. We know what it takes to win and we can win. After our last game against St. Louis, we are really starting to play hockey.

-- On expectations for this weekend against Pittsburgh.

We are fighting to get back to .500, move up in the standings and start a new win streak. Getting all four points is the expectation. I also expect that we will not let up in the games, even for one shift. I expect us to limit their scoring chances. I expect us to throw everything we have at Pittsburgh and then to throw more. Coach (Jason) Cirone expects a lot from the team, the team expects a lot from itself and I expect a lot from the team, but even more from myself.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Captain's Corner - Team's mood, Morgan James, jersey numbers

Each week, Metro Jets captain Mike Corder will chime in on the previous weekend, the weekend ahead and the current situation of the team.

-- On the Jets' recent slump and mood around the team.

The mood is down. We've been in this slump for a while and it is hard to deal with, especially after our effort last Sunday against St. Louis. We know now the way that we need to play, game in and game out, in order to be a top competitor in this league. We can't feel good about the slump, but we can feel good about the game we played last Sunday. It showed we can play with the top teams.

-- On taking solace and maybe a bit of confidence knowing the Jets stayed with one of the top teams and defending champs last weekend.

If we play like we played last Sunday against anyone else, we would have walked away with a win. We took it to St. Louis for a big part of that game. We out-shot them and we out-worked them. Unfortunately, we ran into a hot goalie. Yeah, we like the way we played, for the most part, and it showed what we are capable of doing. Now we just have to play with that intensity every game from here on out.

-- On teammate Morgan James being more than just a beast of a human being who can fight.

Morgan is the biggest guy (6-4/255) I have ever had the pleasure to play with. Morgan is definitely more than just a fighter, though he has done really well in that department so far. He can move very well for his size. He can handle the puck and he has a good sense of the game. Believe me, teams take serious notice when he is on the ice.

-- On changing his jersey number this season from No. 2 to No. 4.

I have worn No. 4 all the way through my youth hockey years and there were only a couple of seasons that it wasn't available. N. 4 just feels right for me. Last season, coming in as a rookie, I did not get first choice of jerseys and No. 4 was already taken. Returning as a veteran made things different this year, thus I wear No. 4 (as it should be).

-- On teammate Joe Matyaszek being a hard worker and scoring his first goal of the season last Sunday.

Joe is a great hockey player who plays bigger than he is. Joe will go hard into a corner with a guy the size of Morgan without any hesitation. He has had some chances in the past, but no success in his hunt for that first tally. He has that first one and he has confidence knowing that it is out of the way. Now it's the time to open those floodgates, eh?

Monday, November 8, 2010

Matyaszek playing 'fearless' for Jets, scores first goal Sunday

WATERFORD, MI – To have a successful hockey team, each player has to accept and produce in their designated roles.

The Metro Jets are no exception.

Take Joe Matyaszek, for example. The diminutive forward won’t score 30 goals or look like Pavel Datsyuk on the ice, but if the Jets are looking sluggish, it’s a given Matyaszek will come over the boards to instill some energy and life into the team.

“I like to keep everyone going and bring life to the bench,” said Matyaszek, an 18-year-old Taylor, Mich., native. “It’s a role I’m happy with because every team needs a guy like that on the team to keep everyone going if they’re down.”

“He’s our little Morgan,” Metro associate coach Jamie Hayden said, comparing the 5-foot-7, 150-pound Matyaszek to 6-foot-4, 235-pound teammate Morgan James. “Joey is fearless. If we need a spark, he’s who we want out there. He goes into the dirty areas of the ice and if he gets hit, he’s right back up. Definitely a kid that can really put a spark into our guys.”

This past weekend, Matyaszek’s hard, gritty work resulted in his first goal of the season.

“My goal was a give-and-go from (Mike) Moroso and (Matt) Stirling was screening the goalie,” Matyaszek (pronounced MADDA-zack) explained. “I took it around the top of the slot and took a shot on my back hand and scored. Coach Jason (Cirone) gave the puck to me after the game.”

After playing high school hockey last season for Taylor Unified, Matyaszek was unsure of where he would land this season, but knew he wanted to continue playing.

”I heard about the Jets from a friend because I was also trying out for another CSHL (now North American 3 Hockey League) team with him and did not make it,” explained Matyaszek. “Then I heard the Jets were looking for players, so I came here and found my home.”

Matyaszek said that his long-team goals in hockey are to move up to the North American Hockey League and hopefully, college hockey.

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

Metro hosted the defending Tier III Junior A national champion Jr. Blues last weekend and came away with two notches in the loss column.

Tommy Burns (Pinckney, Mich.) scored both Jets’ goals Saturday night in a 6-2 defeat, while Eric Trunick (Commerce Township, Mich.) and Matt Braun (Ramsey, N.J.) combined for 19 saves in goal.

Brett Grech (Hartland, Mich.) assisted on both goals and newcomer Ryan Kelly (Wilton Manor, Fla.) earned a helper on one for his first point with the Jets since being signed last week.

Sunday afternoon, Matyaszek scored the game’s first goal 3:08 into the first period, only to see St. Louis tally the next four, including a late empty-netter, and take the game by a 4-1 count.

Braun finished with 23 stops in the loss.

“(Sunday’s game) was 2-1 up until about three minutes to play,” Hayden said. “We have shown that we can definitely play with some of the top teams in this league. St. Louis might be third or fourth right now, but they are the defending champions until someone knocks them off. It was nice seeing Joe get his first goal, though.

“We have two weeks off now and I think we’ll be getting back to basics at practice, refining some things before we get back at it and bring in Pittsburgh.”

The Jets (7-11-0-0) host the Jr. Penguins at Lakeland Arena on Nov. 20-21.

JET STREAKS

The Jets signed goalie Rick Ice and added him to the active roster last Friday.

Ice, an 18-year-old from Sterling Heights, Mich., started the season with the Toledo Cherokee before being released on Sept. 23.

His only action for Toledo came on Sept. 19 when he started and made eight saves on 12 shots before being pulled 2:57 into the second period in a game the Cherokee would go on to win 11-5 on the road against the Michigan Mountain Cats.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Former Metro forward Brad Townsend, who played for the Jets during the 2005-2006 season, signed with the Lapeer Loggers of the All American Hockey League and made his season debut last weekend, scoring a goal on Friday night against the Indiana Blizzard.

After his season with the Jets, Townsend, 23, played for the Pembroke (Ont.) Lumber Kings in the Central Junior Hockey League and then two years ago, played in the now-defunct International Hockey League with the since-folded Flint Generals.

Townsend, from Davisburg, Mich., also had stops with the Indiana Ice Miners of the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League (now AAHL) and Chi-Town Shooters of the All American Hockey Association, also now known as the AAHL.

Photo by Andy Grossman/Detailed Images

Defending champion Jr. Blues take both at Lakeland

WATERFORD, MI - The Metro Jets hosted the defending Tier III Junior A national champion St. Louis Jr. Blues last weekend and came away with two notches in the loss column.

Tommy Burns (Pinckney, Mich.) scored both Jets’ goals Saturday night in a 6-2 defeat, while Eric Trunick (Commerce Township, Mich.) and Matt Braun (Ramsey, N.J.) combined for 19 saves in goal.

Brett Grech (Hartland, Mich.) assisted on both goals and newcomer Ryan Kelly (Wilton Manor, Fla.) earned a helper on one for his first point with the Jets since being signed last week.

Sunday afternoon, Joe Matyaszek (Taylor, Mich.) scored the game’s first goal (and his first of the year) 3:08 into the first period, only to see St. Louis tally the next four, including a late empty-netter, and take the game by a 4-1 count.

Braun finished with 23 stops in the loss.

“(Sunday’s game) was 2-1 up until about three minutes to play,” Metro associate coach Jamie Hayden said. “We have shown that we can definitely play with some of the top teams in this league. St. Louis might be third or fourth right now, but they are the defending champions until someone knocks them off.

“We have two weeks off now and I think we’ll be getting back to basics at practice, refining some things before we get back at it and bring in Pittsburgh.”

The Jets (7-11-0-0) host the Jr. Penguins at Lakeland Arena on Nov. 20-21.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Jets add goalie with perfect hockey name

The Metro Jets added goalie Richard Ice to the active roster today.

Ice, an 18-year-old from Sterling Heights, started the season with the Toledo Cherokee before being released on Sept. 23.

His only action for Toledo came on Sept. 19 when he started and made eight saves on 12 shots before being pulled 2:57 into the second period in a game the Cherokee would go on to win 11-5 on the road against the Michigan Mountain Cats.

Ice will push Eric Trunick and Matt Braun for playing time, but Trunick is expected to start in goal Sunday at home against St. Louis.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

NAHL assumes operations of CSHL, renamed NA3HL

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced that it has assumed operations of the Tier III Junior A Central States Hockey League (CSHL), effective November 1, 2010.

The league, which will restructure to serve as the top training ground in the country by providing the best coaching, exposure and developmental vehicles available for student-athletes in the Tier III Junior A category, will be renamed the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL).

“Our mission, as a league, has always been generate more avenues for all players as they pursue their dreams on the ice and in the classroom, and the creation of the NA3HL, in cooperation with the CSHL and its member clubs, helps foster that initiative,” said NAHL commissioner Mark Frankenfeld. “For years, the CSHL has undeniably operated as one of the top Tier III leagues in the country, and we’re looking forward to bringing its strong history of development to a new level.”

Rest of the NAHL press release HERE.

Moroso loving his offensive role with Jets

WATERFORD, MI – Mike Moroso wants to be a difference-maker on the ice and so far this season, he’s been just that for the Metro Jets.

His 11 goals lead the team and of those 11, four have been scored shorthanded – good for tops in the Central States Hockey League.

Needless to say, Moroso is a scoring threat in any situation.

“I've generally always been able to put up points,” said Moroso, a 19-year-old from Macomb, Mich. “Sometimes I have slumps, but I feel it happens to the best of players. It feels great to be a go-to guy for the team. There isn't anything much better than having teammates rely on you in certain situations.

“Before coming to the Jets, I didn't know much about the league, but I knew the team hadn't had a lot of success the past few years and I wanted to come in and try and change that.”

Playing on a line mostly with Tommy Kilgore (Pinckney, Mich.) and Matt Stirling (Dexter, Mich.) and sometimes Joe Matyaszek (Taylor, Mich.), Moroso gave credit to his linemates for his burst of offensive output.

”There was instant chemistry with our line,” explained Moroso. “Me and Stirling always seem to find each other on the ice and having Kilgore or Joe on our line adds some firepower.”

Moroso’s 18 points (11 goals, seven assists) are second on Metro only to Brett Grech’s (Hartland, Mich.) nine goals and 20 points.

Jets’ assistant coach Pete Flynn coached Moroso a few years ago at the bantam level and knew then that Moroso would be a solid junior-level player.

“I coached Mike with the Michigan Jaguars and he was a good offensive player even back then 3-4 years ago,” said Flynn. “He had a lot of speed and good hands and one of those guys that tend to find the back of the net and put the points away. You can see by his stats this year that he has an eye for those types of opportunities.”

After this season, Moroso will have one more year of junior eligibility. Looking towards the future never escapes the back of his mind as Moroso wants to keep playing hockey as long as possible.

”I really want to try to make it to the pro level or at least play at a high college level,” Moroso said. “Playing pro hockey has been a dream for me since I first laced up the skates.”

As long as Moroso keeps the momentum going with the Jets, it’s hard to imagine a future opportunity not presenting itself for the goal-scoring forward.

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

The Jets, after winning five straight games, have now lost five in a row after getting swept in a two-game series by the Chicago Hitmen over the weekend at Lakeland Arena.

However, the first game of the series wound up being forfeited by the Hitmen when it was ruled they played the game with an ineligible player.

Saturday night, Cameron Bazin (Troy, Mich.) scored the Jets' lone goal in a 7-1 loss.

Eric Trunick (Commerce Township, Mich.) made 26 saves in goal.

Then Sunday afternoon, the Jets came from behind to tie the game twice, but gave up two late goals in the third period to suffer a 6-4 defeat.

Moroso, Stirling, Tommy Burns (Pinckney, Mich.) and Grech scored Metro's goals, while Mike Denston (White Lake, Mich.) tacked on a pair of assists.

In net, Matt Braun (Ramsey, N.J.) finished with 36 saves.

"We started out slow, got it going in the second, and then both teams got into some penalty trouble in the third period," Flynn said. "(Chicago's) special teams proved to be the difference (Sunday)."

This weekend, the Jets (7-9-0-0) play just one game, Sunday afternoon at home against the defending Tier III Junior A national champion St. Louis Jr. Blues. Game time is set for 1:20 p.m.

St. Louis, 9-4-0-0 on the season, is led by forwards Ryan Hogland (six goals, 15 points), Jamie Demarco (four goals, 12 points) and Bo Eastman (seven goals) and defenseman Joe Bowler (goal, six points). Mitch Fernsler and Justin Davis have shared time in goal with Fernsler earning five wins and Davis the other four.

Every St. Louis player has at least one point this season, save for the two goalies.

After last season, longtime head coach Jack Behan stepped down and handed the reins to former Jr. Blues player J.P. Beilsten.

JET STREAKS

Goaltender Alfonse Kolis (Howell, Mich.) was released late last week. He had not seen any game action this season … Forward Ryan Kelly (Wilton Manor, Fla.) signed with the Jets on Monday. The 19-year-old had played three games in the NAHL this season – two to start the season with Wichita Falls and then one with Port Huron before being released on Oct. 18. Last season, Kelly played for the Victory Honda midget major team … Defenseman Jordan Reames (Essexville, Mich.) is day-to-day with a separated shoulder suffered last Sunday … Braun is the first New Jersey native to play for the Jets since defenseman Lou Licari (Red Bank) and forward Mick Kolbasowski (Manalapan) played at the beginning of the 2008-2009 season.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Former Jets’ defenseman Steve Oleksy (2004-2005) is now in his second full pro season and has one assist in seven games thus far with the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads.

After playing for the Jets, Oleksy, a 24-year-old from Chesterfield, Mich., played for the NAHL’s Traverse City North Stars and then three years at Lake Superior State University. He split last season between the IHL’s Port Huron Icehawks and the Steelheads.

Photo by Andy Grossman/Detailed Images

Monday, November 1, 2010

View From The Bench with Andy Grossman

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30
The Jets came out looking to start a new win streak, but were beat by the Jets instead - simple as that.

The bench was focused on the game plan in the first period and started the second trying to swing some momentum with a good scrap from Joe (Matyaszek). Chicago played a very chippy game and seemed to have the officiating on their side. Metro fell into the trap Chicago set and strayed away from their game plan and it resulted in a total collapse of the team and the loss.

I would like to reiterate on the officiating having a huge part in the demise of Metro on Saturday. I have a feeling there is going to be a completely different Metro Jets team on Sunday.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31
Sunday, the Jets looked like a whole different team from Saturday!

The boys were moving the puck, hitting, and just playing good hard hockey for two periods. In third period, they started to fall into Chicago's trap after a few questionable plays by Chicago that left the Jets bench a little bitter. The bench started to get a little upset with the officials after the referee missed a very obvious elbow to the head of Shipaila, which left him bloody and a bit dazed.

Metro started to want revenge a bit more than the 'W.' The weekend finally blew up all at once with a full line scrum that lasted a good five minutes. The Jets, lucky for Chicago, had a more finesse line on the ice during the incident, but they held their own. Denston did a great job of listening to Coach and protecting some of the younger players.

I still can't believe after all the commotion, the referees had no idea what to do and literally did not record any of the penalties until after the game because they said they didn't have time and needed to get the game moving. The Jets couldn't bounce back and couldn't get any momentum the rest of the game due to penalty trouble and a nearly empty bench because of injuries and game ejections.

Metro's bumpy stretch continues, swept at home by Chicago

WATERFORD, MI - The Metro Jets, after winning five straight games, have now lost five in a row after getting swept in a two-game series by the Chicago Hitmen over the weekend at Lakeland Arena.

Saturday night, Cameron Bazin (Troy, Mich.) scored the Jets' lone goal in a 7-1 loss.

Eric Trunick (Commerce Township, Mich.) made 26 saves in goal.

Then Sunday afternoon, the Jets came from behind to tie the game twice, but gave up two late goals in the third period to suffer a 6-4 defeat.

Mike Moroso (Macomb, Mich.), Matt Stirling (Dexter, Mich.), Tommy Burns (Pinckney, Mich.) and Brett Grech (Hartland, Mich.) scored Metro's goals, while Mike Denston (White Lake, Mich.) tacked on a pair of assists.

In net, Matt Braun (Ramsey, N.J.) finished with 36 saves.

"We started out slow, got it going in the second, and then both teams got into some penalty trouble in the third period," Metro assistant coach Pete Flynn said. "(Chicago's) special teams proved to be the difference today."

This weekend, the Jets (6-10-0-0) play just one game, Sunday afternoon at home against the defending Tier III Junior A national champion St. Louis Jr. Blues. Game time is set for 1:20 p.m.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Captain's Corner - Showcase woes, Chicago this weekend

Each week, Metro Jets captain Mike Corder will chime in on the previous weekend, the weekend ahead and the current situation of the team.

-- On going 1-3 at the CSHL Showcase and accepting responsibility for the three losses.

As a team, we were too relaxed. We also did not play deserate enough in our own end and we spent too much time in the box. As captain, I definitely feel the majority of the responsibility. I felt that we were ready for the grind coming into the four games. I thought that getting the first win set the tone and maybe we let up a little. Maybe we were overconfident and just couldn't shake the first loss to Peoria. We came out flat in that game and got behind quick. Then it seemed like we couldn't put it back together the rest of the weekend. The showcase is behind us and we need to let it go and we need to focus on Chicago this weekend.

-- On regrouping for this weekend's home series against Chicago.

Chicago is going to be the toughest hockey we have played to date. Chicago is a talented and fast team. We need to win every shift and outwork them. When we do that, the rest should pan out. Everyone needs to do their job out there every shift. We need to play Coach Cirone's style of game. This weekend will be a great test.

-- On making it his business to getting the players focused on the season and not worrying about the showcase.

Like I said, the past is the past. The showcase is done and we fell short of our goal. Now is the time for me, as a leader, to roust the guys, to get under their skin a little bit at practices, get them fired up again. It is also time for me, as captain, to pick up my game and bring new life and a spark to help get us out of our funk. We still have goals to meet and there is still work to be done - by everyone.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Stirling everything a leader should be for Jets

WATERFORD, MI – Matt Stirling was signed by the Metro Jets last summer to be part of a defensive line that would play against the opponent’s top line.

But then a funny thing happened – the line Stirling was put on with Tommy Kilgore (Pinckney, Mich.) and Mike Moroso (Macomb, Mich.) became the Jets’ scoring machine. Heading into this weekend, the trio has accounted for 22 goals – more than one-third of the team’s 51 goals.

“Everything just seemed to click when (Metro head) coach (Jason Cirone) put me with those guys,” said Stirling. “I knew Tommy from my high school days and I was already was good friends with him. I met Moroso when the Jets brought him in. We have had good chemistry as I have got to know them both better and how they both play. Both of these guys have been key to our line’s success so far.”

According to Stirling, being a top point-getter is a role he’s been accustomed to before.

“In the high school days, that's what I was on the team for and what my high school (Dexter (Mich.) High School) expected of me,” explained Stirling. “For this year, however, I just want to do whatever it takes to help the team win. If being a go-to guy for the Jets is what they need, I'll do it, but to me, doing whatever to help the team win is first priority.”

Named an alternate captain this year, Stirling earned the confidence of the coaches even before the season started and that has carried over into the regular season.

“He leads by example with his work ethic,” said Cirone. “The guys see how hard he works and it’s hard not to follow him. He’s a level-headed kid and that’s what you want in a leader. You want a kid that doesn’t get too excited when things are going good and doesn’t get too down when things aren’t going so well. He’s done everything we’ve asked of him this season.”

Stirling wasn’t sure where he would play this season after his high school season ended, but a visit to a game from Jets’ head scout Tim Ross swayed his decision to come to the Jets and play in the Central States Hockey League.

”I didn't know much about the junior leagues coming out of high school,” Stirling said. “I knew I wanted to continue to play hockey after high school and then I met Tim at one of my high school games. Tim was interested in me and later in the year, I signed with the Jets.”

Focused on this season right now, Stirling also has aspirations to keep playing past this year.

”I would like to play at the highest level I can possibly play,” boasted Stirling. “Whether that's the NAHL or higher, I would definitely like to keep playing. Realistically, though, I would like to just keep improving to move on to the next level.

“I just want to take juniors one step at a time and see how far I can go in hockey.”

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

The Jets played in the annual CSHL Showcase last weekend at Ice Mountain Arenas in Burton, Mich., and after winning their first game against the host Michigan Mountain Cats, dropped the next three games to see their overall record this season dip to 6-8-0-0.

Mike Denston's goal at 18:23 of the third period snapped a 2-2 tie and the Jets held on to beat the Mountain Cats, 3-2, in the opening game last Friday afternoon.

Goaltender Eric Trunick (Commerce Township, Mich.) stopped 39 shots in the win.

After a scoreless first period, Moroso scored at 14:09 of the second period to give Metro a 1-0 lead.

Dan Hudson (Gregory, Mich.) tallied 55 seconds into the third period before two straight goals by the Mountain Cats (Daniel Cowan at 10:31 and Trevor Ladd at 12:52) tied the game at 2-all.

That set the stage for Denston's (White Lake, Mich.) heroics.

Robert Schultz finished with 44 saves for Michigan.

The Peoria Mustangs used three power-play goals to snap the Jets' five-game winning streak Saturday morning with a 6-4 win.

Hudson scored twice for the Jets, while Moroso and Brett Grech (Hartland, Mich.) each had a goal and an assist.

Metro captain Mike Corder (Warren, Mich.) chipped in a pair of assists from the blue line and Trunick finished with 24 saves in net.

Mason Riley recorded two goals and two assists for Peoria, while Nathan Chasteen and Kyle Hamilton each tallied twice and added an assist.

Mike Czupryn made 17 saves for the win between the pipes and Mike Mikulan added two assists.

Metro took a 1-0 lead into the third period Sunday afternoon, but the Mountain Cats scored three in the third to escape with a 3-2 win.

Grech staked the Jets to the early lead at 17:44 of the first period.

After a scoreless second period, Jake Endicott scored the first of his three goals 1:25 into the third period, but Moroso answered for Metro at 5:55.

Endicott then scored two shorthanded goals at 9:24 and 13:38 to give the Mountain Cats the win.

"I give the Mountain Cats credit - they didn't quit and kept coming at us," Cirone said. "That's a sign of a good team and today, the Mountain Cats were also the better team. We played well, just not well enough. Their goalie (Schultz) was outstanding."

For the Jets, Matt Braun (Ramsey, N.J.) made his CSHL debut in goal and finished with 25 saves.

"Matt played very well," added Cirone. "He gives us a good 1-2 punch with Trunick, but Eric is still our No. 1 guy. No question."

Schultz made 42 stops for the Mountain Cats.

Monday afternoon, the Jets completed the CSHL Showcase with a 7-4 loss to Peoria.

Hudson scored twice, Grech and Denston each had a goal and an assist and Tommy Burns (Pinckney, Mich.) tallied three assists in the loss, the Jets’ third straight.

Trunick made 24 saves in net, while Austin Shipaila (Wyoming, Mich.) assisted on Grech’s goal for his first point with the Jets since being acquired from Pittsburgh two weeks ago.

Mikulyan had two goals and two assists for Peoria, while Hamilton (goal, three assists), Chasteen (two goals, assist), Mitchell McPherson (goal, assist), Nikolas Sakellaropoulos (two assists) and Riley (two assists) all had multi-point games.

Brandon Neville added a single goal for the Mustangs, who got a 13-save outing from goaltender Sam Hingtgen.

The Jets host the Chicago Hitmen this weekend for two games at Lakeland Arena. Game time Saturday night is 7:50 p.m. with Sunday afternoon’s game starting at 1:20 p.m.

“If we play how we know how to play, I expect to sweep,” said Stirling. “We need the points and I definitely think if we play our best, we can come out with a couple of wins.”

JET STREAKS

The Jets traded forward Josh Beleski (Southgate, Mich.) to the Michigan Ice Dogs of the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League late last week. Beleski had not seen action this season for the Jets.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

The Oakland University ACHA Division I roster boasts 13 former Jets players.

Goalie Alex Pikunas, forwards Art Dore, Kevin Kranker, Jordan MacDonald, David Merkle, Adam Novack, Steve Wiechec, Jon Wickersham and Jesse Worrell and defensemen Jacob DeSano, Brian Jacobs, Colin Ronayne and Steve Vandenberghe all played at Lakeland Arena at one time or another in recent years.

Novack was the Jets’ captain in 2008-2009, while Merkle, Wickersham and Vandenberghe played for Metro last year.

Kranker and DeSano were also named to the U.S. National University Team that will play in the Winter World University Games Jan. 27-Feb. 6, 2011 in Erzurum, Turkey.

Photo by Andy Grossman/Detailed Images

Monday, October 25, 2010

CSHL Showcase Day 4 - Peoria 7, Jets 4

BURTON, MI – The Metro Jets completed the CSHL Showcase this afternoon with a 7-4 loss to the Peoria Mustangs at Ice Mountain Arenas.

Dan Hudson (Gregory, Mich.) scored twice, Brett Grech (Hartland, Mich.) and Mike Denston (White Lake, Mich.) each had a goal and an assist and Tommy Burns (Pinckney, Mich.) tallied three assists in the loss, the Jets’ third straight.

Eric Trunick (Commerce Township, Mich.) made 24 saves in net, while Austin Shipaila (Wyoming, Mich.) assisted on Grech’s goal for his first point with the Jets since being acquired from Pittsburgh two weeks ago.

Mike Mikulyan had two goals and two assists for Peoria, while Kyle Hamilton (goal, three assists), Nathan Chasteen (two goals, assist), Mitchell McPherson (goal, assist), Nikolas Sakellaropoulos (two assists) and Mason Riley (two assists) all had multi-point games.

Brandon Neville added a single goal for the Mustangs, who got a 13-save outing from goaltender Sam Hingtgen.

The Jets (6-8-0-0) host the Chicago Hitmen this weekend for two games at Lakeland Arena. Game time Saturday night is 7:50 p.m. with Sunday afternoon’s game starting at 1:20 p.m.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

CSHL Showcase Day 3 - Mountain Cats 3, Jets 2

BURTON, MI - The Metro Jets took a 1-0 lead into the third period Sunday afternoon, but the Michigan Mountain Cats scored three in the third to escape with a 3-2 win on Day 3 of the CSHL Showcase at Ice Mountain Arenas.

Brett Grech (Hartland, Mich.) staked the Jets to the early lead at 17:44 of the first period.

After a scoreless second period, Jake Endicott scored the first of his three goals 1:25 into the third period, but Mike Moroso (Macomb, Mich.) answered for Metro at 5:55.

Endicott then scored two shorthanded goals at 9:24 and 13:38 to give the Mountain Cats the win.

"I give the Mountain Cats credit - they didn't quit and kept coming at us," Metro head coach Jason Cirone said. "That's a sign of a good team and today, the Mountain Cats were also the better team. We played well, just not well enough. Their goalie (Robert Schultz) was outstanding."

For the Jets (6-7-0-0), Matt Braun (Ramsey, N.J.) made his CSHL debut in goal and finished with 25 saves.

"Matt played very well," added Cirone. "He gives us a good 1-2 punch with (Eric) Trunick, but Eric is still our No. 1 guy. No question."

Schultz made 42 stops for the Mountain Cats.

The Jets wrap-up the showcase at 12:30 p.m. Monday against the Peoria Mustangs.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

CSHL Showcase Day 2 - Peoria 6, Jets 4

BURTON, MI - The Peoria Mustangs used three power-play goals to snap the Metro Jets' five-game winning streak Saturday morning with a 6-4 win on Day 2 of the CSHL Showcase at Ice Mountain Arenas.

Dan Hudson (Gregory, Mich.) scored twice for the Jets (6-6-0-0), while Mike Moroso (Macomb, Mich.) and Brett Grech (Hartland, Mich.) each had a goal and an assist. Moroso's goal was his team-best ninth of the season and Grech's helper was his team-leading tenth on the year.

Metro captain Mike Corder (Warren, Mich.) chipped in a pair of assists from the blue line and Eric Trunick (Commerce Township, Mich.) finished with 24 saves in net.

Mason Riley recorded two goals and two assists for Peoria, while Nathan Chasteen and Kyle Hamilton each tallied twice and added an assist.

Mike Czupryn made 17 saves for the win between the pipes and Mike Mikulan added two assists.

The Jets continue the showcase tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m. against the Michigan Mountain Cats.

Friday, October 22, 2010

CSHL Showcase Day 1 - Jets 3, Mountain Cats 2

BURTON, MI - Mike Denston's goal at 18:23 of the third period snapped a 2-2 tie and the Metro Jets held on to beat the Michigan Mountain Cats, 3-2, in the opening game of the CSHL Showcase at Ice Mountain Arenas.

For the Jets, now 6-5-0-0, it's their fifth straight win.

Goaltender Eric Trunick (Commerce Township, Mich.) stopped 39 shots for his league-best seventh victory.

After a scoreless first period, Mike Moroso (Macomb, Mich.) scored at 14:09 of the second period to give Metro a 1-0 lead.

Dan Hudson (Gregory, Mich.) tallied 55 seconds into the third period before two straight goals by the Mountain Cats (Daniel Cowan at 10:31 and Trevor Ladd at 12:52) tied the game at 2-all.

That set the stage for Denston's (White Lake, Mich.) heroics.

Robert Schultz finished with 44 saves for Michigan.

The Jets play the Peoria Mustangs tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.

Kilgore keeping Jets loose, piling up points

WATERFORD, MI – Tommy Kilgore is one of those kids that no matter what he’s doing, he always seems to have a smile on his face.

Even on the ice, where Kilgore is among the top scorers for the Metro Jets, he’s always chatting it up with teammates. In the locker room, he helps keep the players loose and laid-back.

“When we saw him play last season (for Pinckney High School), we knew he had a tremendous skill set and was an all-around good-natured kid,” said Metro GM Butch Wolfe. “Those are the types of kids we want here.”

The Jets drafted the 18-year-old Kilgore in May’s Central States Hockey League draft and he played well at the team’s summer skates and camps. Now, he’s playing on one of the top two lines for the Jets and when he’s not scoring goals (he has five, tied for second on the team), he’s setting up his linemates. Kilgore has seven assists, good for second on the team.

“Tommy has been one of our most consistent players night in and night out,” added Wolfe. “He just goes out there and competes each and every shift. His enthusiasm and work ethic is rubbing off on other guys. Kilgore doesn’t have a letter on his jersey, but he is definitely a leader for us.”

Kilgore is also one of two Pinckney natives on the roster, along with fellow forward Tommy Burns.


LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

Metro played just one game last weekend, a 7-2 win at home over the Battle Creek Jr. Revolution.

Mike Moroso (Macomb , Mich.) and Matt Stirling (Dexter , Mich.) each had two goals and an assist, Burns scored twice, and Brett Grech (Hartland , Mich.) recorded a goal and two assists in the victory, the Jets’ fourth in a row.

Eric Trunick (Commerce Township , Mich.) finished with 32 saves between the pipes to get the Jets back to the .500 mark (5-5-0-0).

Jordan Sabatino and Adam Hammond scored for Battle Creek , while Ruben Medrano stopped 33 shots in a losing effort.

Metro scored two power-play goals (Burns and Stirling) and two shorthanded goals (Grech and Moroso 40 seconds apart late in the third period).

This weekend, the Jets head to Ice Mountain Arenas in Burton, Mich., for the annual CSHL Showcase. Metro will play the host Michigan Mountain Cats on Friday (11:00 a.m.) and Sunday (4:00 p.m.) and the Peoria Mustangs on Saturday (10:00 a.m.) and Monday (12:30 p.m.).


JET STREAKS

The Jets acquired defenseman Austin Shipaila (Wyoming , Mich.) from Pittsburgh last Saturday for future considerations. Shipaila, who turns 18 on Nov. 21, had one assist in seven games with the Jr. Penguins before making his Metro debut against Battle Creek … Metro also shipped defenseman Blake Blaha (East Lansing , Mich.) to Battle Creek on Thursday. Blaha was pointless in eight games this season.


WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Wylie Rogers, a goaltender on the 2002 Silver Cup national Junior B championship team, has joined the Heerenveen Flyers ( Netherlands ) of the Dutch Elite League.

Rogers, who played with the U.S. National Team Development Program in 2002-2003, also played four seasons of CCHA hockey at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks (in his hometown of Fairbanks, Ak.) from 2004-2008 and the past two years in the Central Hockey League with the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Captain's Corner - Battle Creek, win streak, league showcase

Each week, Metro Jets captain Mike Corder will chime in on the previous weekend, the weekend ahead and the current situation of the team.

-- On Saturday's game being tougher than he thought it would be playing a winless Battle Creek team.

In this league, you have to expect every game and every team to be tough; you can't take any team for granted. In Saturday's game, the first period was rough. We gave them life and with a team like Battle Creek, you can't do that or you will end up being their first franchise victory. Battle Creek was fast in the first period and we learned really quick that we had to keep the pressure on and keep playing hard.

-- On the team's four-game winning streak and how Coach Cirone is keeping the players on an even keel.

We don't let our heads get big, that is for sure, and Coach doesn't let up on us, either. Four in a row feels great, but we know that there is a lot of hockey yet to play this year and we still have a long way to go to reach our goals as a team. Coach doesn't have to do much. We police ourselves pretty well, but I am sure Coach knows how to bring us down a notch if we were to get cocky.

-- On this weekend's CSHL Showcase where the Jets will play four games in four days.

It is a lot of hockey in a short time and I remember how tired I was before game four of the showcase last year! This year, the showcase is earlier in the season and I feel that the team is better prepared for the grind. We are ready to work hard to keep the streak alive. As far as the scouts go, we can't let that distract us from our focus. Our mission is to play good, smart hockey and walk away with eight points from the weekend. The rest will take care of itself.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

View From The Bench with Andy Grossman

The Jets started of with a very slow first period on Saturday night. Looked like they all came to watch hockey instead of play it.

Coach Cirone, with some help from his assistants, worked to wake the boys up. I was thinking to myself that this is going to be ugly tonight. They got out of the first period still 0-0, but the bench was very quiet as they walked to the locker room.

When the pucked dropped to start the second period, things started to look a little bit better when Moroso scored a quick one. About a minute later the Jets got knocked right back down when Battle Creek answered. This time, the bench seemed to be waking up finally. The guys started talking, there were a few good shifts, and then Burns got a power-play goal then followed it up shortly after with another.

That buzz came back on the bench, everyone was cheering and yelling. The whole bench was revved up. Joe Matyaszek (pictured) really got everyone pumped on the bench with his big hits and non-stop play. Joe would hit the ice and the whole bench would yell, "Yeah, Joe!" I was waiting for them to start chanting.

Battle Creek decided that all they wanted to do was be dirty and try to fight Metro, but Metro stayed very disciplined and for the most part, stayed out of Battle Creek's garbage and played their game. It showed on the scoreboard. The Jets finished strong with the two short-handed goals by Grech and Moroso.

Hopefully, they can keep that momentum into this weekend and keep this win streak alive!

Photo by Andy Grossman/Detailed Images