JANESVILLE, WI – The 2018 NAHL Showcase is in the books.
The Janesville Jets split the event, 2-2-0-0, after opening with two wins Wednesday and Thursday.
The Amarillo Bulls and the Topeka Pilots, both from the South Division, finished with perfect 4-0 records at the event, which drew more than 350 scouts from the NHL, NCAA, and other levels of junior hockey.
Game 1 — Wednesday Sept. 19 (2:00pm)
W, 2-1
The Jets won their Showcase opener, 2-1, over the Lone Star Brahmas on Wednesday afternoon. Andrew Hicks (5:03 1st) and Tommy Middleton (1:51 2nd) scored for Janesville, and Cole Brady made 24 saves on 25 shots in the winning net.
Game 2 — Thursday Sept. 20 (7:30pm)
W, 3-1
Janesville won its second game against the defending Robertson Cup Champion Shreveport Mudbugs, 3-1 on Thursday night. After surrendering an early goal, the Jets tied it with a Brenden MacLaren (14:04 1st) tally, then won the game on two third-period goals from TJ Sagissor (1:12 3rd; 8:38 3rd). Garrett Nieto was excellent in net, stopping 34 of 35 shots.
Game 3 — Friday Sept. 21 (1:00pm)
L, 4-1
Two first-period goals and seven trips to the penalty kill made things tougher for Janesville on Friday night, losing 4-1 to the Aberdeen Wings. Matt Hanewall (13:14 3rd) scored the lone goal for the Jets, and Cole Brady made 29 saves in the losing net.
Game 4 — Saturday Sept. 22 (12:30pm)
L, 4-0
The Jets were badly outshot by Bismarck in the Showcase finale, losing 4-0. Shots were 42-19 in favor of the Bobcats. Garrett Nieto made 38 saves.
The Jets now turn focus to a home-and-home series versus the Chippewa Steel. Janesville hosts Friday night, and then will make their first trip to the Chippewa Ice Arena on Saturday. Both games start at 7:00pm, and both will be broadcast live on HockeyTV.