Jeffers forward Cody Turner stops in an attempt create space away from Manistique defenseman Matthew Rahilly during a game Wednesday at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — There is something quietly brewing at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

After starting the New Year off with a pair of shutout losses, the Jeffers Jets hockey team has won two in a row after defeating the Manistique Emeralds, 3-2, Wednesday, at home.

The Jets improved to 6-6 on the season, and head coach Patrick Nettell could not be more proud of the progress his team has been making this season.

“We’re extremely proud of this group,” he said. “Just one of the hardest-working groups, most talented-working groups, that we’ve had. We’re fired up. The kids are fired up. The confidence is there because they’re doing things that they’ve never done before this season.”

Tied 2-2 in the third period, the Jets needed a spark. Just seconds after killing off a second straight penalty, Jeffers caught a break when junior winger Cage Osterman found junior Elliot Asiala in stride in the neutral zone. Asiala and sophomore winger Cody Turner skated in on a 2-on-1. Asiala looked to pass first, and when he saw that option was not there, he instead fired a long wrist shot from the high left circle that beat Emeralds goaltender Alex Noble over the blocker at 7:35.

It was Asiala’s second goal in as many games, and second goal of the season. Nettell feels that he appears to be heating up at just the right time for the Jets.

“Elliot’s just started scoring again for us, two games in a row, and beautiful goals,” Nettell said. “Elliot needs that to keep his confidence going, which fires up the team even more.”

From there, the Jets had to withstand the pushback from the Emeralds. They did receive a golden opportunity to add to their lead when Emeralds defenseman Matthew Rahilly took a double minor penalty with just over six minutes left. However, it looked like Manistique was the team with the power play as Austin Hinkson, who scored for the Emeralds (8-4-1) in the second period, had multiple chances in close to Jets goaltender Simon Rajala.

What was supposed to be an advantage turned into a bit of a nightmare on the bench for the home team.

“The play needed to be on the other end,” said Nettell. “That four minutes, it was pretty much in our end. For four minutes, we were getting our butt whooped by four people and it wasn’t good. I wasn’t happy with that.”

However, the Jets’ defense stood tall and kept the Emeralds away from the net.

The Jets scored the game’s first two goals in the early stages of the second period. The first came off the stick of junior center Kailob Bianco, who took a pass from senior center Trevor Halonen, skated the puck through the right circle and beat Noble over the glove at 4:52.

Halonen then figured in the Jets’ second goal when he pushed the puck on a faceoff win to junior center Trayton Helminen, whose quick shot found a way past Noble at 6:24.

The goals were Bianco’s team-leading ninth and Helminen’s sixth.

“That’s huge, and that’s what we need,” Nettell said. “That’s what we want. We want more guys scoring too, but Kailob and Trayton, they’ve been pretty consistent. Trayton, he likes to get into those dirty areas and that he makes those plays happen. It’s fun to watch.”

With Halonen picking up assists on both goals, Nettell continues to be impressed with how the senior is finding ways to make things happen offensively.

“He’s a little bit more gritty,” said Nettell. “He’s got a supporting role out there. He’s got to be in the corners helping support. It’s all the little things that lead up to the big things, and he’s doing it for us.”

The Emeralds got one back at 8:37 when Hinkson got a stick on a shot from Rahilly and redirected the puck in on the power play. Connor Carlson later evened the score by taking advantage of a Jets turnover in their own end at 15:33.

Senior Simon Rajala made 30 saves to help backstop the Jets to the win.

Up next

The Jets head to Merrill, Wisconsin, this weekend to take part in the Merrill Tournament.