Friday: L, 4-3
Just like he did last weekend against the Wilderness, Ethan Begg (5) started the scoring for the weekend and got the Jets out to an early lead four minutes into the first period. Just 40 seconds later, William Gustavsson netted his ninth score of the season to get the period’s last goal and put the Jets up 2-0. The lead vanished rather quickly after the Magicians came out firing in the middle frame and scored four straight goals, three in the second period and one to open the third, to get out in front 4-2.
The Jets posted a response while on the power play a minute later after Cy LeClerc scored his 14th goal of the year to get within one. The Jets sent 14 shots to the net in the final period and created some immense pressure in the waning moments of regulation by keeping the puck in the attacking end with the net empty.
Despite the strong efforts to get the equalizer, the Magicians were able to narrowly escape with the 4-3 win. Janesville finished the night with 34 shots on goal and stayed highly disciplined in the loss after just one penalty was called against them early in the first period, which was successfully killed. Michael D’Orazio got the start in net, his seventh of the season, and made 25 saves on 29 shots.
Saturday: W, 5-2
Saturday night’s game featured the same intensity and energy from the Jets but had a much more likable end result when the final horn sounded.
Not only was the penalty kill perfect again (6/6), the Jets scored while shorthanded for the third time this season after Jan Lasak received a precise pass from Robby Newton on a 2-on-1 and pulled a beautiful forehand-backhand move to score. Later on in the first, it was Tristan Thibeault scoring his first goal as a member of the Jets after he put home a shot from the slot that snuck five hole to cap off the scoring in the opening period.
For the sixth straight game, Cy LeClerc found the back of the net and started the scoring in the second period. A stretch pass from Gunnar Williams found Cy at the blue line, who skated in and rifled a snapshot to the top corner for a highlight-reel snipe. Like LeClerc, William Gustavsson continued to find the score sheet after his power play goal to open the third extended his streak of goals to five games. The four consecutive goals from Janesville stood until the 16:18 mark of the third period when the Magicians emptied their night and finally found the back of the net to break the shutout. With the net still empty, Minnesota scored again to get within two with just under two minutes left.
With chants of “We want Culver’s” reigning down from the stands at Janesville Ice Arena, the Jets sent shot after shot towards the yawning cage for the last four minutes of play to no avail. It wasn’t until a penalty was called in front of the empty net that awarded the Jets a goal, credited to Ethan Begg, that made it a 5-2 game and solidified the win. Janesville only recorded 23 shots on goal in the victory, which says a lot about the playmaking abilities the team displayed on Saturday. Owen Millward had a big night between the pipes as well, stopping 32 of 34 shots to help stifle the Magicians’ offensive efforts and backstop his team to victory.
In the weekend series, the Jets’ special teams, specifically the penalty kill, were impeccable. 7-for-7 on the PK and two power play goals over both nights were bold highlights over the weekend, plus a win on Saturday, of course.
The Jets will stay home for one more series and again host the Minnesota Magicians during Thanksgiving weekend. Both games feature special occasions, with Friday night being Parker/Craig Alumni night with $1 beers on tap, and Saturday is our first postgame Skate with the Jets night, where fans can lace up the skates and hit the ice with the Jets following the conclusion of the game. Be sure to get your tickets on our Facebook page or at Lions Quick Mart around Janesville. Have a very happy and safe Thanksgiving, Jets fans!
Around the Division
THURSDAY SCORES
Minnesota Wilderness 3 @ Chippewa Steel 2 (F/SO)
Springfield Jr. Blues 2 @ Kenai River Brown Bears 4
FRIDAY SCORES
Fairbanks Ice Dogs 3 @ Anchorage Wolverines 1
Springfield Jr. Blues 5 @ Kenai River Brown Bears 3
SATURDAY SCORES
Chippewa Steel 0 @ Minnesota Wilderness 6
Fairbanks Ice Dogs 2 @ Anchorage Wolverines 4
Springfield Jr. Blues 7 @ Kenai River Brown Bears 4
STANDINGS
| Place | Team | GP | Record | Pts |
| 1 | Springfield Jr. Blues | 24 | 15-8-0-1 | 31 |
| 2 | Fairbanks Ice Dogs | 23 | 14-8-0-1 | 29 |
| 3 | Anchorage Wolverines | 20 | 13-6-1-0 | 27 |
| 4 | MN Wilderness | 21 | 13-7-1-0 | 27 |
| 5 | Chippewa Steel | 24 | 12-11-0-1 | 25 |
| 6 | MN Magicians | 21 | 10-8-3-0 | 23 |
| 7 | Janesville Jets | 21 | 8-12-0-1 | 17 |
| 8 | Kenai River Brown Bears | 22 | 4-18-0-0 | 8 |
Coming Up
Jets vs. Magicians | Fri Nov 26 | 7:00pm CST
Jets vs. Magicians | Sat Nov 27 | 7:00pm CST
