The Janesville Jets scored three, first period goals to propel them to a 4 – 1 win over the Titans this afternoon in game two of this four game annual NAHL league showcase. The Titans are now 0 – 4 on the season (the first time in team history).
The Red Buckets have scored only five goals in four games in this very young season.
Janesville opened the scoring at 8:36 into the first period when Kyle Kudrna scored his first goal of the year. The Jets’ Cody Menzel picked up the loose puck at the top of his own blueline, and he chipped the puck up to Kudrna just at the Titans zone. As Kudrna gained the line and reached the near side hash marks, he took a wrist shot that beat Ben Charette short side to make it a 1 – 0 game.
Midway through the period, Eric Charpentier scored to knot the contest at one. With play just to the left of the Jets net, a Janesville defenseman went to clear the puck but it was intercepted by Charpentier just outside the far side faceoff circle. As Charpentier skated towards the net, he sent a pass down low to Johnny McMahon who sent a return pass to the Titans defenseman in the slot and Charpentier took a one-timer that beat Janesville goaltender Selby Warren for Charpentier’s first goal of the season.
Janesville then took control of the first period by scoring two goals in three minutes.
With eight minutes remaining in the period, Kudrna scored his second of the game. Janesville forward Cody Menzel picked up the loose puck deep in the offensive zone and brought it back up the far side wall. As Menzel reach the point, he turned towards the top of the point and sent a cross-ice pass to Ryan Williams. Williams took a shot on net that was saved by Charette, but Kudrna was standing on the doorstep and knocked in the rebound to make it a 2 – 1 game.
Sylas Oberting was called for hooking with 6:36 remaining in the first to give Janesville the man advantage. A minute later the Jets took a two-goal lead. With play inside the Titans zone at the far side half wall, Gabriel Lundberg picked up the loose puck and sent it back to Giblin Max at the point. Max passed it over to Williams on his left and Williams took a clapper that beat Charette top shelf for his first goal of the season.
Janesville’s Jimmy Doyle scored two-minutes into the third period to close out the scoring and make it a 4 – 1 game.
Charette turned aside 33 of 37 shots in defeat while Warrant turned aside 29 of 30. Click here for the box score.
The Titans will have a rematch with last year’s Robertson Cup semi-final foe the New Mexico Ice Wolves in game three of this four game Showcase at 5:30PM ET.