The stretch of games in Janesville was a big shot to the arm for the Jets (10-12-0-1), who, after posting a 1-7 record in October, found a winning streak of six games and finished the month of November with a 7-2 record. The span of successful outings has seen the Jets climb back into contention in a competitive Midwest Division standings, as they sit just five points behind the sixth-place Minnesota Magicians and 10 points behind the second-place Jr. Blues.
The recent weekend sweep of the Magicians saw some of the Jets’ best hockey after coming back from 3-0 on Friday night, followed by a 4-0 shutout of the division foes the next day. Additionally, as we’ve seen since the start of the homestand, the Jets penalty kill unit was outstanding once again; a perfect 10/10 PK on the weekend helped the Jets to their now three-game winning streak.
Since their series against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs in the first week of November, they’ve allowed just one power play goal in 31 opportunities. This weekend will present a chance for the Jets to showcase how well their PK unit has been performing and remind the importance of discipline. The Jr. Blues’ power play percentage comes in ranked fourth in the NAHL at 25% and has scored in three of their last five games.
The hot streak from Janesville has received great recognition; defenseman Cal Mell received the NAHL’s award for Defenseman of the Month in November, after his ten assists and +9 in nine games kept him at the top of scoring among defensemen. You can read our write-up on Mell and his award here. Forward Cy LeClerc was also in the running for a monthly honor; he finished as the runner-up for Forward of the Month, and Owen Millward was an honorable mention for Goaltender of the Month.
The two games in the Land of Lincoln will be the last before a weekend off for the Jets before returning to Janesville for another three weeks of games from the Hangar. Friday night’s contest will feature a 7:05 start, while Saturday will have puck drop an hour earlier at 6:05.
Those looking to tune in can do so from home on HockeyTV or follow live updates on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
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JANESVILLE JETS
Record: 10-12-0-1 (7th, Midwest)
Road Record: 4-9-0-0
Goals For/Game: 3.61 (7th)
Goals Against/Game: 3.96 (24th)
Shots For/Game: 29.17 (19th)
Shots Against/Game: 28.61 (10th)
Power Play: 18.5% (17th)
Penalty Kill: 70.7% (28th)
Top Scorers: F Cy LeClerc (23GP—17G-13A—30PTS); F Jan Lasak (22GP—12G-9A—21PTS); F William Gustavsson (21GP—10G-10A—20PTS)
Goaltenders: Owen Millward (9-3-0-0; 3.25 GAA; .886 SV%); Michael D’Orazio (1-6-0-1; 4.07 GAA; .859 SV%); Ryan Whittaker (0-1-0-0; 6.00 GAA; .778 SV%)
Rostered Commitments: F Keaton Peters (Northern Michigan University); F Robby Newton (University of Wisconsin); F Grayden Daul (University of Wisconsin); F Jonah Aegerter (St. Cloud State); F Cy LeClerc (University of New Hampshire); F Jan Lasak (St. Lawrence University); F Jake Sacratini (American International College); F Ethan Begg (University of Vermont); Jack Ford (Army-West Point)
SPRINGFIELD JR. BLUES
Record: 15-8-0-1 (2nd, Midwest)
Home Record: 5-2-0-1
Goals For/Game: 3.46 (11th)
Goals Against/Game: 2.79 (8th)
Shots For/Game: 28.04 (24th)
Shots Against/Game: 31.29 (16th)
Power Play: 25% (4th)
Penalty Kill: 82.6% (15th)
Top Scorers: F Leo Bacallao (21GP—12G-11A—23PTS); F Jonathan Panisa (22GP—6G-15A—21PTS); F Carson Jones (24GP—6G-15A—21PTS)
Goaltenders: Ethan Roberts (11-5-0-1; 2.50 GAA; .920 SV%); Ethan Robertson (3-3-0-0; 3.41 GAA; .895 SV%)
Rostered Commitments: D Fisher Scott (Colorado College); F Connor Smith (Union College); F Michael Valdez (Colorado College)
