JANESVILLE, WI — Against the division-leading Minnesota Magicians, the Jets came up short, taking home one point from the suburban Twin Cities in the team’s first road sweep against of the year.
It was a big weekend for goaltenders from both teams. Cole Brady, Ethan Haider, and Jack Robbel combined for 120 saves on 126 total shots on the weekend, good for a .952 aggregate save percentage. Robbel’s contribution to that figure, a 30-save shutout on Saturday night, punctuated the weekend and sent the Jets into Thanksgiving firmly in second place.
FRIDAY — SOL, 3-2
After a scoreless first period, the Magicians broke the seal on a goal from Chris Konin (1:30 1st). After a quick two-on-two entry, Konin slid a pass to the low slot for Cameron Buhl, who one-touched it back to Konin for the score. Janesville picked up two power play opportunities before the end of the middle frame but wouldn’t convert until the game-tying goal in the third.
Midway through the third period, with the Magicians’ Carter Wagner serving a head contact minor, the Jets finally beat Haider. A couple of good puck retrievals extended the power play’s possession, allowing Philip Björkman to set up Brenden MacLaren (10:50 3rd) for a one-timer. Off of the ensuing draw, Luke Wheeler was called for cross checking, sending the Magicians to the power play. Andrew Kruse‘s shot from the point bounced around and began a scramble, which Cameron Buhl (11:27 3rd) ended with his eighth of the season. Late in the third, looking for another equalizer, the Jets found one from Matt Hanewall (15:16 3rd). The veteran forward chased down a puck kept in by Vincent Weis, pressured the Magicians defenseman and smacked in a bad-angle goal to knot the game at 2-2.
Three-on-three overtime produced no winner, sending the teams to the shootout. Hanewall scored on the Jets’ first attempt, but goals from Chris Konin and Jake Seitz clinched the win for Minnesota.
The goaltenders turned in nearly identical stat sheets. Cole Brady recorded 28 saves on 30 shots in the loss, and Ethan Haider earned his 10th win of the season with 29 saves on 31 shots from the Jets.
SATURDAY — L, 2-0
Saturday night’s chance at a split fell short for the Jets, who came out a little flat in the first period, dominated the second period’s shooting efforts, but never could solve Lake Superior State commit Jack Robbel. Robbel’s 30-save shutout earned him the game’s first star and sent the Jets home with their first road sweep against of the season.
Another scoreless first period Saturday sent the Jets into the visiting locker room at Richfield Ice Arena looking for a big response. Janesville came out strong in the second, pacing the game and controlling play on the way to a 15-7 shot differential, but there was again nothing doing against the hot goaltender.
Early in the final period, a shot from Cameron Buhl gave Cole Brady some difficulty, and Joel Pavey (1:10 3rd) crashed in for a rebound goal. Jake Seitz (13:27 3rd) would collect the insurance marker later in the period.
Cole Brady finished with an impressive 33/35 night despite the loss, but a good night can’t beat a great one, which Jack Robbel strung together on 30 saves.
Around the Division
FRIDAY SCORES
Topeka Pilots 2 @ Springfield Jr. Blues 1
Minnesota Wilderness 2 @ Chippewa Steel 1
SATURDAY SCORES
Topeka Pilots 0 @ Springfield Jr. Blues 6
Chippewa Steel 1 @ Minnesota Wilderness 3
STANDINGS
| Place | Team | GP | Record | Pts |
| 1 | Minnesota Magicians | 22 | 17-5-0-0 | 34 |
| 2 | Janesville Jets | 22 | 11-8-2-1 | 25 |
| 3 | Fairbanks Ice Dogs | 20 | 9-8-1-2 | 21 |
| 4 | Springfield Jr. Blues | 21 | 9-9-2-1 | 21 |
| 5 | Kenai River Brown Bears | 20 | 9-10-0-1 | 19 |
| 6 | Chippewa Steel | 23 | 5-16-1-1 | 12 |
Coming Up
Jets @ Jr. Blues | Fri Nov 23 | 7:05pm CST
Jets @ Jr. Blues | Sat Nov 24 | 6:05pm CST
