Jets hockey doubles up Blue Devils | News, Sports, Jobs

Jeffers forward Tage Rajala carries the puck through the middle of the rink during a game against Sault Ste. Marie Friday at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — In a rematch of a Division 3 state semifinal last season, the Jeffers Jets hockey team doubled up the visiting Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils, 8-4, at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena Friday.

Co-captain Brogan Turner had a big night, scoring three goals and adding a helper to drive the Jets to the win. Sophomore Max Nordstrom chipped in with two goals and an assist while senior forward Cameron Anderson racked up three assists.

The Jets (13-3-1 overall) peppered Blue Devils goaltender Dane Vaught, firing 63 shots at him.

Turner got the Jets on the board first just 7:36 in with his 20th of the season while Jeffers was shorthanded.

Colton McKechnie and MacKinley Kavanaugh scored goals about five minutes apart with McKechnie’s coming on the power play just 18 seconds after Turner’s tally.

Looking for the equalizer, the Jets got it with 2:32 remaining in the period when senior forward Carson L’Esperance scored his fifth of the season. Anderson and Turner both earned assists.

Nordstrom broke the 2-2 tie just 2:19 into the middle frame on the power play. The goal, his sixth of the year, was assisted by senior defenseman Griffin Heinonen and senior forward Easton Therrian.

The game remained 3-2 in favor of the Jets until the late stages when Turner struck for the second time, again shorthanded. Anderson picked up the lone assist.

Caleb Sober pulled the Blue Devils back within one 39 seconds later, but Heinonen regained the two-goal advantage on the power play at 15:41. Alternate captain Blake Heltunen and Nordstrom both assisted on the goal.

Junior forward Hudsen Heinonen scored his fourth goal of the year 2:03 into the third to make it 6-3 Jeffers at that point. Senior forward Cade Coponen had the only assist on the tally.

Sault Ste. Marie cut the lead back to two again when Sober scored his second of the night at 10:44.

Turner scored his hat trick goal 70 seconds later. L’Esperance and Anderson assisted on the goal, which was Turner’s 22nd of the season.

Nordstrom closed out the scoring with 4:57 left in the contest. Junior forward Tage Rajala and Therrian both earned assists on the goal, Nordstrom’s seventh of the year.

Co-captain Kasen Helminen made 16 saves to earn the win.

Up next

The Jets are back in action Tuesday when they host Marquette at 6 p.m. at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena.