Clifford dogs Jets; Stars win, 4-3

Published on November 13, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


JANESVILLE, Wisc. - So much for superstitions. The Traverse City North Stars scored their 13th victory of the season on Friday the 13th, getting a pair of goals from Doug Clifford and knocking off the host Jets by a 4-3 margin at Janesville Ice Arena.

Clifford (Woodhaven, MI/Mahoning Valley NAHL) roofed the clincher just 4:32 into the third period, and the Stars staved off Janesville down the stretch to retain a three-point cushion over Marquette for the top spot in the North. It was TC's fifth straight triumph.

"It was a pretty crisp, well-played game," asserted Stars head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo. "We got some big goals from Clifford, some good goaltending from (Drew) Strandberg, and fought hard all the way to the end."

The North Stars (13-4-1) got things going early on, as Tim Opie (Troy, MI/TC North Stars) connected on a pass from Clifford and Nick Shkreli (Romero, MI/Mahoning Valley NAHL) a scant 1:01 into the affair. Opie returned the favor a little more than 10 minutes later, as he and Bo Jacobs (Twin Lake, MI/TC North Stars) set up an even- strength Shkreli marker and the visitors took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.

Janesville recorded two goals in the first 6:48 of the middle frame to knot the contest, but Clifford's power play tally with 2:45 left in the second put TC in front again. Curtis Heinz (Grand Rapids, MI/ Wichita Falls NAHL) and Trevor Campbell (Kansas City, MO/Lansing Capitals U18) assisted.

After the Jets registered a power play goal 1:33 into the third stanza, Clifford levied the decisive salvo, hooking up with Shkreli and Opie once again. From there, Strandberg and the Traverse City defensive corps took it home.

"I was real happy with our effort, much more so than last weekend against Alpena," Palumbo said. "Of course, there's still lots of room for improvement, but all in all you have to be happy going on the road against a good team in a packed building and coming out with a win."

Strandberg, who has won his last six starts and seven straight decisions, made 29 saves and improved to 11-2 on the year.

"He made the saves we needed, and seemed to play with a sense of calm back there," Palumbo added. "He's been very steady for us."

The Stars and Jets (10-10-0) will square off again on Saturday night in Janesville. Face-off is set for 8 p.m. ET.

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 November 13, 2009


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