Jets Edge Chill for Series Lead

Apr 15, 2017

JANESVILLE, WI — With all three goals coming from defensemen, including two from Canisius commit Blake Wareham, the Jets eked out a 3-2 win over the Coulee Region Chill to take a 1-0 series lead on Friday in Janesville.

The Jets jumped on the Chill early, with a Blake Wareham goal just 14 seconds in.  Tempers flared on the ensuing play with Peter Bates and Jacob Schmidt-Svejstrup picking up minors, and a physical, chippy tone was set early. The Chill, who won both sides of the special teams battle, quickly erased their deficit and built their own lead with a pair of power play goals from Caleb Schroer and Steven Quagliata.

The second period featured more of the same. Another goal from Wareham, marking his first multi-goal game in the NAHL, knotted the game at 2-2. The Jets then failed to capitalize on three power play opportunities, and Game 1 fittingly entered the third period tied.

Coulee Region jumped on pucks in the third period, peppering Jake Barczewski with 17 shots in the final frame, but the rookie netminder stood tall. On the other end of the ice, with less than three minutes left, Frank Sullivan blasted home a point shot for the game-winner.

In the win, Barczewski turned away 30 of 32 shots. Chill goaltender Brad Arvanitis was good despite a loss, making 38 saves on 41 Janesville chances.

Puck drops on Game 2 tonight in Janesville at 7:00pm as the Jets (1-0) look to put the Chill (0-1) into a 2-0 hole. Coverage begins at 6:55pm on HockeyTV.com. Tickets are still available for tonight’s game here. The Jets’ annual tailgate party, sponsored by Curt’s Conquest for a Cure and Labatt Blue, kicks off at 4:30pm in the Janesville Ice Arena parking lot.