Clifford leads Stars to win

Published on December 12, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


MARQUETTE - The Traverse City North Stars re-claimed sole tenancy of the NAHL North Division penthouse on Saturday night at Lakeview Arena, knocking off Marquette by a 3-2 margin in the finale of a three-game series in the Upper Peninsula.

Doug Clifford (Woodhaven, MI/Mahoning Valley NAHL) scored a pair of goals, both set up by Dan Radke (Orinda, CA/TC North Stars/Lake Superior St.), and netkeep Chris Paliafito (Shelbyville, KY/Owatonna NAHL) claimed victory in his return to the Traverse City pipes.

After holding pair of leads late in each of the first two contests only to see the host Rangers storm back for victory - including an overtime triumph on Friday - the North Stars held off Marquette late on Saturday to improve to 16-9-2 and put a pair of points between themselves and their weekend foes. The win also snapped TC's four- game slide.

Clifford got things going early on Saturday, scoring a power play goal from Radke and Nick Shkreli (Romeo, MI/Mahoning Valley NAHL) just 5:25 into the contest. Garrett Thompson (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars) gave the Stars their first two-goal lead of the series 2:41 into the second period on assists from Curtis Heinz (Grand Rapids, MI/Wichita Falls NAHL) and Tim Opie (Troy, MI/TC North Stars).

After Marquette cut the deficit to 2-1 a scant 44 ticks into the final frame, Clifford racked his 11th marker of the campaign at 6:44, slamming home a precise feed from Radke at the far post for what became the game-winner. Andy Huff (Howell, MI/Honeybaked AAA) also drew an assist.

Paliafito, who was signed on Wednesday, played 28 games with Traverse City in 2007-08, going 11-9-6 with a 3.25 goals-against average. Paliafito began the year in Alexandria and spent time with Owatonna, going 1-6-0 in his first seven starts of the season. He made 28 saves in 30 chances on Saturday.

The North Stars remain on the road next weekend, visiting third-place Janesville for a Friday-Saturday series. The Jets were idle this weekend, as their home-ice set with Motor City was postponed due to dire travel conditions.

We thank you, our media partners, for your continued interest in Traverse City North Stars hockey. If there is anything we can do to help facilitate any aspect of your coverage, please do not hesitate to contact us. You are a valued component of North Stars hockey.

For more information, call Lance-Michael Correia at (231) 632-5047, the Traverse City North Stars office at (231) 941-9200 or visit the team's Web site at: www.traversecitynorthstars.com.

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North American Hockey League Stories from December 12, 2009


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