Series Recap: Chicago Crush vs. Metro Jets Development Program (MJDP)December 13-14, 2024 | Mount Clemens Ice Arena, Michigan
MOUNT CLEMENS, MI - The Chicago Crush Premier unit faced a rollercoaster weekend against the Metro Jets Development Program (MJDP), as the teams battled in a high-stakes USPHL clash that showcased playoff-level intensity. With emotions running high and momentum shifting on a dime, the series delivered everything from last-second heroics to gritty penalty-kill efforts. Fans witnessed a thrilling shootout and a relentless display of rivalry hockey that underscored why these matchups are must-watch. Here’s a closer look at how the weekend unfolded.
Game 1: Chicago Crush Grit Meets Goaltending Greatness
The Chicago Crush stole two points in dramatic fashion Friday night, riding the heroics of netminder Lukas Janicina and a grind-it-out shootout to a 3-2 win over MJDP.
After an early Jets’ surge that saw Clovis Gamelin and Brandon Consolo cash in, the Crush refused to crumble. Timothe Hastoy’s second-period power-play snipe sparked life into a team stifled by MJDP's relentless forecheck. And in the third, Jacob Rozanski delivered a goal that would’ve made Phil Kessel blush, knotting the game at 2-2.
From there, it was all about Janicina. Facing 49 shots — nearly double what his counterpart Evan Peacock saw — "The Slovakian Wall" was locked in, stopping chance after chance, including a point-blank look in overtime that had the Jets bench celebrating prematurely.
The shootout saw Nathaniel Zimmerman call game, roofing a back-hander blocker side past Peacock to secure the win. Credit where it’s due — this was Chicago goaltending and guts at its finest.
Game 2: Penalty Chaos and MJDP Revenge
Saturday's tilt was everything Game 1 wasn’t — a penalty-filled war of attrition where the Jets got their revenge, 4-2.
MJDP jumped out early with two first-period tallies, as Gianluca Virelli and Raphaël Belley-Pelletier carved through the Crush defense like they were driving I-94 with the cruise set at 80 mph. Chicago’s answer came in the second when Spencer Kauke lit the lamp — a vintage snipe from the left circle — to give the visitors hope.
But that hope was buried under the weight of the penalty box. Chicago racked up 24 minutes of infractions, highlighted by Cyler Brogle’s boarding major and unsportsmanlike misconduct combo platter. MJDP made them pay, with Belley-Pelletier adding his second and Christopher Otero sealing it late.
The physicality was downright nuclear by the third, leading to scrums after nearly every whistle and bench bosses barking at officials like carnival barkers on a sugar high. For Chicago, Rozanski’s power-play strike was a lone highlight, but the loss underscored the Crush’s Achilles heel: untimely penalties and a PK unit still trying to find its footing.
Takeaways
Janicina Stands Tall: The goaltender kept Chicago alive Friday, proving why he’s the team’s backbone. A 47-save clinic against the Jets is no joke.
Special Teams Win Wars: The Crush capitalized on the PP Friday but melted down Saturday. Their penalty kill sputtered against MJDP, especially late.
Discipline or Bust: Chicago is at their best when they play between the whistles. Letting emotions dictate the pace — as seen Saturday — puts too much pressure on their stars to chase.
The series split leaves the Crush at 12-6-2-1, still firmly in the hunt in a hotly contested division. Coach Steve Maltais will have his group reloaded and focused as they prepare for their next battles on home ice. This division is a dogfight — and Chicago knows they can scrap with the best of ‘em.
Make sure to catch all of the Chicago Crush excitement live on FloHockey.tv!
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