The Jets took four of a possible six points from a three-game slate last week, featuring a Valentine’s Day win in Springfield and a home-and-home split with the Coulee Region Chill. Saturday’s come-from-behind win extended the Jets’ division lead to 17 points over the Minnesota Magicians, and means Janesville needs just one point to clinch a playoff spot.
KENAI RIVER BROWN BEARS
OVERVIEW:
Record: 10-34-2-0
Road Record: 5-19-1-0
Last Game: A 10-2 loss in Springfield last Saturday
Goals For/Goals Against: 91GF/166GA
Power Play: 15.2% (22nd in the NAHL)
Penalty Kill: 78.4% (19th in the NAHL)
Leading Scorers: Jonathan Marzec (42GP – 9G – 22A – 31PTS), Luke Radetic (37GP – 14G – 12A – 26PTS), Evan Butcher (45GP – 9G – 12A – 21PTS)
WHO’S UP FRONT:
Jonathan Marzec: The Brown Bears’ leading scorer notched his ninth of the season last Saturday to take the early lead in Springfield. Marzec, a smaller forward at 5’7″, doesn’t shy away from physicality, either. His 53 PIMs are fourth on the team, and first among players with 10 or more points.
Jack Vincent: The former Jet scored in his first weekend with Kenai River, and has three points in his four games so far with his new club. With the Brown Bears, Vincent has become a regular, reliable scorer.
WHO’S ON D:
Christopher Lipe: Kenai’s top-scoring defenseman, a ’99 from the T1EHL’s Fox Motors program, was the third overall pick last June. Lipe has played well on the Brown Bears’ man advantage this season, scoring twice and adding 10 assists.
WHO’S IN GOAL:
Robbie Goor: The veteran backstop has 32 NA3HL games and 43 NAHL games under his belt, and will add up to two more this weekend before traveling to Plymouth, Michigan, on Sunday to participate in the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament. Goor was selected to the Midwest’s team, and holds a .909 save percentage on the season.
JANESVILLE JETS
OVERVIEW:
Record: 34-9-0-3
Home Record: 19-2-0-2
Last Game: A 4-2 victory over Coulee last Saturday
Goals For/Goals Against: 182GF/121 GA
Power Play: 24.5% (3rd in the NAHL)
Penalty Kill: 82.5% (10th in the NAHL)
Leading Scorers: Michael Maloney (45GP – 21G – 26A – 47PTS), Peter Bates (44GP – 20G – 26A – 46PTS), Cullen Munson (42GP – 18G – 27A – 45PTS)
WHO’S UP FRONT:
Keegan Miller: The NAHL veteran hopes the injuries and illnesses are behind him. After missing five games with a concussion, Miller sat out last Tuesday and Friday with an illness, but scored in his Saturday return. Miller is one of seven Jets players headed to Top Prospects next week. Miller is the Jets’ top scorer without at least two points on the power play, with 24 of his 25 points coming in 5-on-5 play.
Jack Gates: The future Colorado College Tiger celebrates his 19th birthday as he suits up for his 97th game as a Jet. The small, speedy winger has been a huge success for the Jets’ PK, and has quietly tripled his offensive production from last season with nine goals and 30 points.
WHO’S ON D:
Adam Roeder: The captain, who is also headed to Top Prospects next week, is among the NAHL’s top 20 scoring defensemen, and his +24 mark is tied for sixth among blueliners. Against a Kenai team who averages 20 minutes in penalties every night, Roeder and the Jets’ power play should earn plenty of chances to bury the Brown Bears early.
WHO’S IN GOAL:
Jake Barczewski: The rookie won his 12th straight decision last Saturday as his teammates rallied in front of him and completed a two-goal comeback. “Barzy” stopped 23 of 25 for a .920 save percentage in the win. Remarkably, Barczewski’s season numbers are so astounding that an impressive 23/25 night lowered both his goals against average (1.92) and his season save percentage (.926). We’ll see how Barczewski can do against a tame Kenai River offense.