Bandits burgle Stars
Published on March 22, 2008 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release
TRAVERSE CITY - With just three games left on the regular season schedule, the Traverse City North Stars have arrived at a crossroads. With victories in all three - and some help - the Stars can still join the four-team playoff fray in the NAHL North. Anything else will end the club's postseason aspirations.
Traverse City, by virtue of a 4-1 setback to St. Louis on Friday night at Centre ICE arena - and fourth-place Team USA's 3-0 victory over Marquette - is now four points back in the playoff chase.
"Is it our last gasp?" Stars head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo queried. "I'd say the ark is almost full of water. We didn't play enough desperation tonight. We're playing for our proverbial playoff lives, and St. Louis has nothing left to play for until the playoffs. But they're the team that wanted it more tonight."
The Bandits (45-9-2) potted a goal in each of the first two periods, then opened the third with another before Garrett Thompson (Traverse City, MI/Soo Indians AAA) got the North Stars on the board at 14:27. However, St. Louis answered less than two minutes later, preserving the three-goal final cushion. Ben Dykstra (Kentwood, MI/East Kentwood HS) assisted on Thompson's fifth of the season.
"That was a bright spot," Palumbo said. "Ben hadn't played in a while, got his chance, and seized the opportunity."
Brandon Stephenson (Saline, MI/Victory Honda AAA) stopped 21 of 25 shots he faced, while St. Louis counterpart Cal Heeter made 21 saves in 22 chances.
The regular season home finale between the Stars and visiting Bandits is set for 7 p.m. on Saturday night at Centre ICE arena.
North American Hockey League Stories from March 22, 2008
- U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team Completes Sweep of Marquette - U.S. National Team
- Bartus Leads Phantoms to Victory - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Jets Come From Behind on Harrison's Winner, 2-1 - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Bandits burgle Stars - Traverse City North Stars
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