Saturday, December 22, 2012

Gay stops all 25 to lead Toledo to shutout of Jets Saturday night

WATERFORD, MI - Nate Gay stopped all 25 shots he saw to lead the Toledo Cherokee to a 3-0 win over the Metro Jets Saturday night at Lakeland Arena.

Nick Brazeal, Blake Podgorski and Brandon Layman scored for Toledo.

For the Jets, Austin Julvezan finished with 30 saves in goal.

Metro (11-14-1-0) is now off for the holidays, next returning to the ice Jan. 5-6 in Pittsburgh against the Three Rivers Vengeance.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Jets get point with overtime loss Sunday in Cleveland

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio - Doug Andrews' extra-attacker goal brought the Metro Jets into a 5-5 tie with the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks, but Ryan Wandzel's goal 1:28 into overtime gave Cleveland the 6-5 win Sunday afternoon at the Cleveland Heights Community Center.

Mike Gambino scored twice for Metro, while Andrews, Michael Lawrence and Andrew Palushaj each had a goal and an assist.

Devon D'Angelo tacked on two assists and Alex Nedeljkovic made 38 saves in goal.

Six different players scored for Cleveland, while Joe Moza turned aside 29 shots between the pipes.

The Jets (11-13-1-0) play just once this weekend, Saturday night at 6 p.m. at home against the Toledo Cherokee, before breaking for the holidays.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Cleveland edges Jets Saturday night; Palushaj scores lone goal

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio - Andrew Palushaj scored with less than a minute to play in the third period, but the Metro Jets couldn't find the equalizer and fell to the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks 2-1 Saturday night at the Cleveland Heights Community Center.

Alex Nedeljkovic made 44 stops in the Metro net.

 The Jets (11-13-0-0) finish up the two-game set Sunday afternoon at 1:15 p.m.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Veteran Frost leading by example for young Jets' squad

WATERFORD, MI – Chad Frost was one of the younger players with the Metro Jets last season, but jump ahead to the 2012-13 season and the Clarkston native is now one of the Jets’ veteran skaters.

Frost, who turns 19 on Dec. 21, has realized how fast a player’s role can change from year to year.

“Last season, we had a lot of talent and a lot of guys to look up to that helped me grow as a hockey player,” said Frost, a defenseman. “I’m a vet this year and now I have the responsibility as a role model this year. I make sure that I show up to practice ready to go and keep in top shape so the guys look up to me.”

Coming into the 2011-12 season from high school hockey, Frost noted that Junior A hockey in the North American 3 Hockey League was nothing like high school puck.

”I learned very quickly that junior hockey is a big commitment and you’ve got to use your time wisely and effectively so you don’t drain yourself; it’s a long season," said Frost. "This season, since I’ve been in the league a year, I try and help teaching the younger guys the ropes and rules of the team. I try and lead by example.

“I’ve also learned that playing for (head coach) Jason (Cirone) is tough at times, but I think playing for any coach can be that way. He can really get the best out of his players when he needs to and that’s what a good coach does.”

One of Frost’s teammates last season and this season, forward Travis Hargett, is also a Clarkston native and fellow 2012 graduate of Clarkston High School.

“Hargett and I go way back,” Frost said. “I played high school hockey with him our sophomore year and I’ve known him since I was in elementary school. We look out for each other and it’s nice to have someone like that on the team that you’ve known for so long.”

As for his future, Frost has one year of junior eligibility after this season and intends on using it.

“Obviously, along with everyone else playing hockey at my age, the dream is to play in the NHL, but I really want to make it to the NAHL or play college hockey in Minnesota,” said Frost. “I’m going to keep training hard on the off-season and during the season as well. It’s important to eat healthy and keep working out as hard is at it may be sometimes during the season.” 

JET STREAKS

Defensemen Aaron Bessey and Evan Bennett, who made their Jets’ debut at the NA3HL Showcase in Blaine, Minn., two weekends ago, have been reassigned back to their Midget teams – Bessey to Omaha AAA Hockey of the High Performance Hockey League and Bennett to the West Michigan Hounds of the North American Prospects Hockey League.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? 

Goaltender Colin Greeley, who played for the Jets as a 16-year-old in the 2008-09 season, played the past two seasons in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League before deciding to focus on school and work this season.

Currently at Lansing Community College, Greeley, a Howell native, is looking at transferring to Michigan State or Grand Valley State next year and may give the ACHA teams there a shot.

Greeley came to the Jets after being selected by the Ontario Hockey League’s Saginaw Spirit in the fourth round of the 2008 OHL draft.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Captain's Corner - Michigan split, Lawrence, Cleveland road trip

Each week during the 2012-13 season, Metro Jets’ captain Matt Stirling will give his thoughts on topics surrounding the team as it makes its way through the North American 3 Hockey League grind.

-- On last weekend's split with the Michigan Mountain Cats.

We didn’t play our best last weekend against Michigan. We were all over the place and should have played better to get the four points. Two points is good, but the four is what we need to keep pace in our division.

-- On winning Sunday after the team's 1-3 performance at the NA3HL Showcase the previous weekend.

It is always good to get a win, especially after the way we played in the showcase. The win was nice, but we need to start playing better as a whole and need to get back on the right path here.

-- On adding forward Michael Lawrence from Granite City, but losing defenseman Derek Britton.

Lawrence has been a good addition for us as a forward. He brings over a physical side that we need along with the ability to put up points as well. As for Britton, I feel bad for him. He may not be back this year and I thought he was a good addition to the squad coming into this year. He is one of many guys injured right now as the shoulder area seems to be a common theme in our locker room right now.

-- On playing Cleveland on the road this weekend.

This weekend will be tough - there is no doubt about that. We need to play good, smart hockey to get the much-needed four points out of this weekend. We need the points to keep pace in our division and hopefully get on a winning streak here.  

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Palushaj, Nedeljkovic lead Jets past Mountain Cats Sunday

WATERFORD, MI - Andrew Palushaj scored two power-play goals in the third period as the Metro Jets defeated the Michigan Mountain Cats 3-1 Sunday afternoon at Lakeland Arena.

Jeff Monfils added a power-play goal and an assist and Metro captain Matt Stirling recorded two assists in the win.

The Jets went 3-for-6 with the man-advantage and Alex Nedeljkovic (pictured) made 34 saves between the posts, allowing just a Kade Morrison goal early in the third period.

Metro (11-12-0-0) travels to Cleveland next weekend for a two-game set with the East Division's first-place Jr. Lumberjacks.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Mountain Cats edge Jets Saturday night in Fraser

FRASER, MI - The Michigan Mountain Cats scored three goals in the third period and held on to beat the Metro Jets 4-3 Saturday night at the Great Lakes Sports City.

Jets' captain Matt Stirling had a goal and an assist, Zack MacKay and Alex Holm (pictured) also scored and Andrew Palushaj recorded two assists.

Alex Nedeljkovic suffered his first loss with the Jets, but did make 29 saves in goal.

John Arms, Kade Morrison, Guy Soulliere and Marshall Helton scored for the Mountain Cats, while Craig Spencer finished with 27 stops.

The Jets (10-12-0-0) and Mountain Cats rematch Sunday afternoon at Lakeland Arena for a 2:50 p.m. opening faceoff.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Rookie defenseman Burrough making simple plays for Jets

WATERFORD, MI – Myles Burrough was one of many players the Metro Jets scouted heavily last season and while he knew this was certainly the case, it helped Burrough’s decision as to where to play this season that much easier.

When he was offered a tender for the 2012-13 season, Burrough wasted little time putting his signature on it.

“I knew they had a little interest in me and I had talked to them a few times,” said Burrough. “I decide to sign the tender after I went and watched them play and learned more about the league. I knew they had a good team and coach (Jason Cirone).”

A 19-year-old defenseman from Metamora, Burrough has just one assist in 19 games thus far, but offense is not the name of the game for this defensive defenseman, who is also plus-5 on the year.

“My role with the team is to keep the puck out of the net,” stated Burrough. “I am happy with the way the season has gone so far. We have a young team and we are improving greatly. Everyone gets along and is very positive. I think my biggest adjustment has been to the speed of the game and time management.”

Making the jump from Midget AA hockey with the Mt. Clemens Wolves was a major leap, admitted Burrough. If not for his coach last season, he may not have been able to prepare for junior hockey.

“My long-term goals are to keep having fun and playing hockey as long as I can,” Burrough said. “My coach from last year, Andy Oleksy, got me into the right frame of mind to never give up and I think without him, I wouldn’t be where I am right now.”

JET STREAKS

At the NA3HL Showcase last weekend, the Jets acquired forward Michael Lawrence from the Granite City Lumberjacks, added 17-year-old defenseman Evan Bennett and 16-year-old defender Aaron Bessey and placed defenseman Derek Britton on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

The 19-year-old Lawrence was drafted by Granite City in the 10th round of the 2012 NA3HL draft and is a 19-year-old Mattawan native. Bennett (Kalamazoo) and Bessey (Lansing) are both Michigan natives and made their Jets’ debuts at the showcase.

The NA3HL named Jets’ goalie Alex Nedeljkovic the Goaltender of the Month for November.

Nedeljkovic was in goal for all four of the Jets wins in November as he posted a perfect 4-0 record along with a .942 save percentage and a 2.00 goals-against average. After his four games with Metro, he was sent back to the Ontario Hockey League’s Plymouth Whalers, where he started the season.

In the games that the 16-year-old Nedeljkovic didn’t play during the month, Metro was 0-3. In the games he did play, the Jets went 4-0.

“He was in our league to get some experience and he faced quite a few shots in the four games he played,” said Cirone. “I think our team fed off his confidence while he was here and everyone played a little more inspired. I think he brought a certain level of exposure to the team.”

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? 

Forward Kevin Wittenberg, who played briefly with the Jets during the 2008-09 season, is now playing for the Vernon Hills Capitals of the Great Lakes Hockey League, a semi-pro league that has been in existence since 1937.

In the ’08-09 season, Wittenberg had a goal and an assist in 16 games with the Jets.

Monday, December 3, 2012

St. Louis upends Jets on final day of NA3HL Showcase

BLAINE, Minn. - The St. Louis Jr. Blues defeated the Metro Jets 6-2 Monday morning in the final game for both clubs at the NA3HL Showcase at the Schwan Super Rink.

Metro captain Matt Stirling and Thomas Evans scored the Jets' goals, while goaltender Austin Julvezan finished with 48 saves.

Doug Andrews assisted on both goals as well.

For St. Louis, Victor Gortz had two goals and an assist in the win.

The Jets (10-11-0-0) now get set to play a home-and-home series with the Michigan Mountain Cats this weekend. Saturday night's game is at the Great Lakes Sports City in Fraser at 6:45 p.m. with the second game scheduled for 2:50 p.m. at Lakeland Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Jets get back to .500 mark with shootout win over Peoria

BLAINE, Minn. - Metro Jets' captain Matt Stirling scored twice in regulation and had the deciding goal in the shootout as the Jets picked up their first win at the NA3HL Showcase, a 4-3 decision over the Peoria Mustangs at the Schwan Super Rink.

Jeff Monfils also scored for the Jets and Trevor Kalinowski made 41 saves in goal in addition to stopping all four Peoria shooters in the shootout.

Brennan Anderson had a goal and an assist for the Mustangs, while Matt Pinel stopped 34 shots between the pipes.

Metro (10-10-0-0) wraps up the showcase Monday morning against the St. Louis Jr. Blues at 10:30 a.m. EST.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Metro blanked on second day of NA3HL Showcase by North Iowa

BLAINE, Minn. - The Metro Jets suffered their second straight shutout at the NA3HL Showcase, losing 9-0 Saturday night to the North Iowa Bulls at the Schwan Super Rink.

John Forseth scored four goals for the Bulls and Matt Kroska tallied twice with two assists as Aaron Davis made 37 saves for the shutout.

Metro goalie Austin Julvezan made 54 saves in the loss.

The Jets (9-10-0-0) play the Peoria Mustangs Sunday at 5:30 p.m. EST.