Blues topple TC in OT

Published on October 16, 2010 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


TRAVERSE CITY - Jack Callahan has just four goals in 16 games, but he makes ‘em count.

Three of the Springfield defenseman's scores have been game-winners, the latest of which spoiled the Traverse City North Stars' second annual ‘Turn the Rink Pink' night on Saturday, as the visiting Jr. Blues claimed a 2-1 overtime victory at Centre ICE Arena.

Callahan, who also wrung up St. Louis in OT last weekend, corralled a loose puck near the top of the right face-off circle, and delivered a laser into the upper third of the net to give Springfield a second straight victory in their first-ever series in Traverse City.

The North Stars (6-2-1) yielded the game's first goal for a second straight night, but assumed control for much of the remaining contest. However, despite a 33-22 shot advantage - including a 15-7 bulge in the second stanza - the hosts could not best Blues netwsweep Andrew Martin, who was named the game's No. 1 star.

"It was a tough one," explained Stars head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo. "I thought we played pretty well - we won more battles, created more scoring opportunities, and had a lot more energy. We missed a lot of chances, and couldn't convert the ones we had."

While Palumbo lauded his club's overall play, he did offer some criticism on the club's power play unit, which went 0-for-6 on Saturday but is still seventh in the NAHL at 19.67 percent.

"The power play has absolutely gone away," he said. "We've gone from the best power play in the league, at least statistically, to one that looks like one of the worst. We have to be able to do better with those opportunities."

After the Blues punched in the first goal of the game with 4:52 left in the opening period, Traverse City went to work, trying to blunt Springfield's dump-and-chase tactics while generating more open-ice chances for themselves. Martin was having none of that, until the Stars finally broke through at 8:06 of the third. Taylor Burden (Carmel, IN/TC North Stars) led the assault, dishing across the slot to Eric Rivard (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars), who blasted home a one-timer to knot the affair.

Aside from the early marker, Tyler Marble (Howell, MI/TC North Stars/ Lake Superior St.) retuned to form on Saturday, snuffing 21 shots and surviving a third-period penalty shot. He has started all nine games this season for Traverse City.

"Overall, we were pretty happy with how we played," Palumbo added. "The line of (Robert) Wiener, (Jared) Van Wormer, and Mitchell Snider gave us a ton of good minutes, and that's good to see as we look for the right line combinations. We certainly can still play better, and we absolutely have to start burying some of these chances."

The teams will wrap up the Blues' only series in Traverse City on Sunday in a 1 p.m. matinee.

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.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



North American Hockey League Stories from October 16, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central