Diggers blank TC, 3-0

Published on December 4, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


TRAVERSE CITY - It was a night of missed opportunities for the Traverse City North Stars on Friday at Northern Lights Arena, as Alpena goalie Marco Wieser engineered a 3-0 shutout in the opener of a two-game weekend set that wraps on Saturday evening at Centre ICE arena.

"We missed four or five two-on-one breaks, their guy made some big stops, and we gave up a pair of power play goals," surmised Stars head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo. "But I actually thought we had a good effort and it was a pretty even game. They converted their chances and we didn't."

After a scoreless first period, Alpena got on the board 6:51 into the second on a Nick Taurence marker, and John Fristche - who has five goals in his last four games versus the Stars - potted what turned out to be mere insurance 3:31 into the final stanza. Justin DeMartino intercepted a clearing pass and made it a 3-0 final margin at 9:06 on what Palumbo terms "a gift."

Wieser has won three of his last four starts against Traverse City, while Drew Strandberg (Thunder Bay, ONT/Thunder Bay SIJHL) countered with 27 saves on 30 shots.

Traverse City fell to 15-7-1, and remains three points ahead of idle, second-place Marquette. Janesville also pulled to within three points of first place with a 4-2 win at Motor City on Friday.

The North Stars played a bit shorthanded on Friday, as Kyle Jean (Sault Ste. Marie, MI/TC North Stars/Lake Superior St.) was out with the flu, Kelin Ainsworth (Thunder Bay, ONT/Ft. William SIJHL/Lake Superior St.) is out for at least two weeks with an upper-body malady , Josh Miller (Trenton, MI/TC North Stars) remains out for at least another few weeks with a lower body injury, and captain Travis White (Sterling Heights, MI/TC North Stars) is experiencing lingering effects from a pervious injury and remains day-to-day. Additionally, Ryan Amin (Canton, MI/Kenai River NAHL) is still en route to Traverse City after being acquired in a three-team trade on Thursday that sent Sean Keane to Wichita Falls.

"To be honest, I liked how some of the other guys stepped up and played bigger roles," Palumbo added. "I know what the final score said, and if I thought we played a horrible game, I'd be right there to say it. But we just flat-out missed some legitimate changes and ended up on the wrong side of the scoreboard. That level of play and effort will lead to success on our part."

The Stars and Diggers get together at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Centre ICE. Fans who bring a new teddy bear for pediatric patients, Big Brother/Big Sisters, and Child & Family Services get $2 off admission. Fans are invited to throw their teddy bears onto the ice at the appointed time, and the team will collect and distribute the bears.

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North American Hockey League Stories from December 4, 2009


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