By Rob Bell | March 10, 2018
Soldotna, AK– The Jets were cooking in Kenai Friday night as they take a 6-2 win over the Brown Bears. A solid showing from the entire team tonight as Kenai were outplayed for the entire 60 minutes. Goaltender Garrett Nieto anchored a solid backline, making 19 saves off 21 shots.
It was also a record-breaking night for Janesville Jets Forward Jakov Novak against the Kenai Brown Bears as he tallied two goals (29) and an assist (34) to put his point total to 63 for the season. This passes the 61-point mark Zach Lavalle set in his 2014-15 season with Janesville. This also extends Novak’s lead for most points in the entire league this season with the Austin Bruins Travis Kothenbeutel 8 points back (55).
Along with the brilliant effort by Novak tonight, goals ensued by Matt Barbolini (3), Matt Hanewall (6), Joe Rosa (3), and Brenden MacLaren (11).
From the fluid passing, the seamless transitions on offense and defense, and the finishing in the opponents third, Janesville had the edge on the Brown Bears in what appeared to be every aspect tonight. Even up 5-1 in the third period, the Jets looked as fresh and aggressive as they did first stepping out on the ice.
The game seemed to get out of hand at the beginning of the second period as multiple fights broke out on the ice, including a large altercation between members of both teams fought behind Kenai’s net 10 minutes into the period. This resulted in ejections from both sides. The referees did a good job after these fights to sort things out and restore order to the match.
Janesville will face off against Kenai River again tonight before squaring off in Fairbanks, Alaska for a three-game series on March 15th-17th against the Division Leader Ice Dogs. Janesville will be back in action at home March 23rd against the Coulee Region Chill at 7:30pm.