Jr. Blues @ Jets G41 Roundup

By Rob Brent | February 3, 2019 | 10:00am 

JANESVILLE WI – It took an overtime period to decide it, but at the end of the game The Jets came away with their third-place spot in the Midwestern Division standings intact.  Check out the three keys to the game that lead to the Jets downing the Jr. Blues to earn the weekend split by a score of 4 goals to 3 in an exciting match up.

FRESH FACES PRODUCE FRESH RESULTS

After Friday’s 6-1 defeat, The Jets tinkered with the lineups and got very positive results. Players who suited up for Saturdays’ game that did not play the night before include defenseman Stanislav Dosek, forward Luke Wheeler, and goaltender Sam Metcalf. All three players contributed in a winning effort. Dosek registered an assist and a +2 rating, while Wheeler chipped in an assist of his own. Metcalf made 31 saves on 34 shots in a winning effort. Being able to rotate players into the lineup to get fresh legs is an important asset, and tonight showed that the Jets have the depth to pull it off.

HANEWALL’S BIG NIGHT

Forward Matt Hanewall may have been the most impressive player on the ice Saturday night, as he netted two goals, including the game winner in overtime. The performance also earned him a well-deserved recognition as the first star of the night. The two goals, Hanewall’s ninth and tenth of the season, moved him into a tie for second most goals on the team. Hanewall seemed to be in the right place at the right time, as well as making the right plays all night for the Jets. The strong effort showed up on the goal sheet, and ultimately won the Jets the game in overtime. Hanewall scored the dramatic goal on a sublime pass from Brenden Olson, who also recorded two points on the night.

Forward Matt Hanewall handles the puck in the offensive zone. Hanewall contributed in a big way Saturday night, scoring two crucial goals which included the overtime winner. (Shelley Schmidt Photography)

STRONG RESPONSE

Once again, the Jets found themselves heading into the third period in a close game. As the Jr. Blues and Jets made their way to the faceoff dot for the opening of the frame, the score was tied at 2 goals apiece. Shortly after the period started, the Jr. Blues would take the lead, and it was impossible not to remember what had happened the previous night when the Jr. Blues turned a close game into a frustrating night with four quick goals in the third. However, history would not repeat itself as the Jets rallied to put in a strong effort. They killed off penalties (a recent area of weakness), and finally scored on the powerplay to tie the game. This game felt very similar to Friday night, except on this night the Jets fought back and did not allow the game to get away from them.

MOVING FORWARD

The Jets needed a solid effort tonight, not only to respond to Friday night’s performance, but to maintain their spot in the standings. For the most part, Janesville got the result that was needed. With the overtime loss, the Jr. Blues did earn a point, inching them closer to the Jets in the standings with a game in hand. The Jets came into the weekend 3 points up on Springfield and although the standings remain the same, the result is that Springfield gained a point with a win, and overtime loss. The gap has thinned, and the Jets must put in more efforts like Saturday night’s to maintain their lead. The Jets will travel to Chippewa next weekend to face off with the last place Steel, before returning home the weekend after to play the Jr. Blues once again.

MIDWEST DIVISION STANDINGS