WATERFORD, MI - Steve Klisz’s second goal of the game at 1:54 of overtime gave the Metro Jets a season-opening 8-7 win over the Flint Jr. Generals Friday night at Lakeland Arena.A see-saw game that had numerous lead changes, Klisz went in on a partial break on Flint goalie Ben Myers and went five-hole to complete a three-goal comeback and give the Jets their first home-opening win since a 9-1 thrashing of Toledo to open the 2006-2007 season.
“I saw the defenseman flip the puck in the air and I skated as hard as I could,” explained Klisz. “The puck dropped right in front of me, I picked it up, went in, saw the five-hole and scored. Definitely one of the biggest goals I've ever scored."
Doug Andrews notched a pair of goals and two assists for the Jets, while Chris Hellebuyck added a goal and three helpers. Mike McKinnon (also with two assists), Matt Stemkoski and Branden Morganroth scored one apiece.
Devin Williams stopped 44 shots between the pipes for Metro.
“We had a touchdown with a two-point conversion,” said Jets head coach Jason Cirone. “Do we have things to work on? Obviously. A win is a win is a win. They don’t ask how, right? They just ask how many. I told the players after the second period that if we’re going to run and gun, let’s make sure we get more and that’s what they did.”
Cirone wasn’t happy with the way the Metro defense played and said “changes will come tomorrow,” but was happy with Williams’ play in net.
“I thought the young kid played well,” Cirone said. “He faced 51 shots and maybe one that he allowed was shaky, but other than that, I thought he did a great job for us.”
Edward Osowski and Lucas McDiarmid scored twice for Flint, Josh Kestner tallied a goal and two assists and Myers finished with 21 saves.
The Jets host the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks tomorrow night for a 7:50 p.m.puck drop.
“You have to have a short memory,” said Cirone on how the Jets will prepare for Cleveland. “You have to learn from tonight and move on. (Cleveland coach-GM) Bob (Jacobson) always brings a quality team with a high level of talent and I’m expecting a harder game tomorrow night.”
NOTABLE: Stemkoski and Will Shier were the alternate captains tonight and will be for all home games this season. Jake Schlacht and Matt Stirling will wear the ‘A’ during all away games … Forward Travis Hargett went out in the first period with an upper-body injury. He’s listed as day-to-day … Ex-Jets players Morgan James (2010-2011) and Mike Denston (2009-2011) were spotted at the game … Williams won’t turn 16 until Oct. 30 … A moment of silence was observed before the game in memory of those that lost their lives in Wednesday’s plane crash in Russia of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team in the Kontinental Hockey League.
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