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