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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.