Jets Split Weekend Despite Injuries

2009-10-19

Fight through injures and have now won 3 out of 4 games.

Albany, NY. Jamestown a small city nestled in the southern tier, of WNY is home to some of the greatest sports fans in the country however lady luck often never seems to be on their side. Their beloved Buffalo Bills have been injury riddled all season and have just not gotten any breaks. On Sunday that changed as their cast off backup rose to the challenge and carried the beleaguered Bills to a gutsy overtime victory. That’s exactly what the hometown Jamestown Jets were faced with, on the road for the second straight weekend and playing without defensemen and Captain Rob Marlinski the Jets early on Saturday lost the services of power forward Justin Cubitt. The Jets however led for most of the game until a late surge by Adirondack tied the game at 5-5 as the puck was redirected past jets net minder Adamczyk with the goalie pulled. The game looked as if it was heading to overtime but it was not to be as the game winner came with 6.8 seconds left as #17 for Adirondack beat Adamczyk over the left shoulder to down the Jets 6-5. “We played a great first 40 minutes but got away from what was working in the 3^rd period and we allowed them back into the game.” Said Jets Head Coach Dennis Canfield. The loss however was secondary as following the game the Jets would learn they would lose their assistant captain and first line center Nate Hughes to an undisclosed injury. Following the game the Jets regrouped and held a closed door players meeting. “For us to be successful it has to be their team our veteran players need to respond and lead during these situations.” Said Canfield. So as the game #2 began on Sunday the Jets came out with a purpose. Canfield gambled and went with 4 defensemen rather than five moving Jon Gratton up front even though he scored from the point the night before. The gamble paid off as Gratton riffled home a feed in front from #22 Dean Wolfe just over a minute into the game giving the Jets the early 1-0 lead they would carry to the locker room following the 1^st period. Just as he did early the previous period Gratton tallied his second of the game from #15 Bruce Statton giving the Jets a 2-0 lead. Lorne Shotwell making his first appearance in the last 4 games for the Jets was superb as he held the Predators in check early and often especially with his ability to control rebounds. At the midway point of the 2^nd period the Jets would extend their lead to 3-0 on a goal by shifty forward #9 Daniel Denitton a lead that would hold up through 2 periods of play. The 3^rd period was a trying one as both teams exchanged penalties and then at the 5:29 mark Gratton would net his 3^rd goal of the game as he split the defense walked in alone and floated a nifty backhander past a downed Adirondack net minder putting the Jets in front for good 4-0. The Predators would make a game of it taking advantage of several penalties eventually cutting the lead to 4-3 but Sunday belonged to the boys from Jamestown as Shotwell and the Jets earned a hard fought 4-3 victory and split on the weekend. “After losing so many key players to injuries and yet to walk away with a split against a very good hockey team is something we are very excited about.” Said Canfield. “Big players show up in big games we got several great individual efforts lifting this team especially Gratton and Shotwell”. With the win the Jets have now won 3 of the last 4 games and are set to host rival Wooster at home this Friday and Saturday night @ 7:35 PM.