Jansen backstops Team World
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The Tillsonburg Hurricanes only had one spot reserved for players at the 2017 Greater Metro Hockey League all-star game Tuesday night at the Tillsonburg Kinsmen Memorial Arena.
Hurricanes' leading scorer, Chandler Knibb (Red Deer), was selected to be the team's all-star representative. Knibb, recovering from a separated shoulder in the pre-Christmas league showcase game, was cleared to play around the 4th of January.
"It's good," he nodded after Tuesday's all-star game. "When I got back (from a home visit over the holidays) I had a couple little physio workouts."
The Hurricanes ended up dressing six players - three for Team Canada and three for Team World. Mircea 'Mitch' Constantin, newly acquired Nikita Chekardin, and goalie Tyler Jansen wore the white World jerseys, while Knibb, Logan Kerner and Ryan MacDonald wore the Canadian reds. The extra Hurricanes got the nod Tuesday.
"Some guys couldn't make it due to the weather, some dropped out," said Jansen, who hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, "and we were all close. Me, Nik and Mitch, we all live 100 feet from the rink, so it's easy to get to."
Leading 4-3 after two periods, Jansen took over between the pipes in the third.
"We knew if we won one period, we'd win the game," said Jansen.
Team World added another for a two-goal cushion, then scored an empty-netter in the final minute to make it a 6-3 final.
The Canadians had applied some sustained pressure in the third, but couldn't beat the 21-year-old Hurricanes goalie.
"I wasn't going to let Logan or Chandler score - they got most of their shots," said Jansen, who said he was aware at all times who was on the ice for Team Canada.
"Oh yeah, always. Some of their players are recognizable, like (London's) Regan Yew, I knew when he was on the ice - he's got like 50 goals this year."
Seeing the pre-game rosters, Jansen figured it would be a close game. Picking a winner would not be easy.
"It was kind of hard to tell," he admitted. "It's an all-star game. Everyone here is a good hockey player. No ifs ands or buts. Everyone here is skilled. You knew it was going to be a fun game, and it was a back-and-forth game - it was a lot of fun playing against the best players in the league, from around the world."
Jansen said he wasn't feeling any pressure playing in front of a home all-star crowd, estimated at 250-300 people.
"Not really," he smiled. "It's all about having fun, that's what this is for."
Skills competitions
Between periods, players from both teams participated in skills competitions including fastest skater and several shootout scenarios.
Knibb ended up winning a second-intermission relay shootout for the Canadians with a one-on-one goal against Jansen.
"He won that for him," Jansen nodded. "We had played together last year, too, so we know each other really well. Me, him and Kyran Karol in Butte, Montana (Butte Cobras - Western States Hockey League - Tier II Junior A). So we're always really competitive in practice, we like going back and forth.
"He beat me five-hole. He told me he was going to beat me five-hole - and he did. We got the last laugh though, we won the game."
The Hurricanes have only played one shootout this year, beating London.
While Jansen's GMHL goals against average isn't among the league leaders, he is continuing to develop his talent on a first-year team.
"It's been going pretty good. I'm seeing a lot of shots every game and it's a lot of fun for the goalie if you're seeing 60-plus shots per game. You're going to get scored on - it's going to happen - but it's been a lot of fun."
The addition of several new, skilled players should help the Hurricanes down the stretch, said Jansen.
"We got a new Russian, and a guy from St. George... they're helping our team. We're just adding some small pieces and then putting the puzzle together for playoffs."
Jansen's longer term goal is to play pro hockey in Sweden.
"That's what the goal is right now, to latch on to a team there."
There are other possibilities, he said, noting teams like Pensacola and Knoxville from the SPHL have done some scouting.
"Hopefully something turns up."