Jackets blast TC Stars still in 2nd by three points

Published on March 19, 2011 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


TRENTON, Mich. - The Motor City metal Jackets played like a team on the brink of exclusion from the NAHL postseason fray on Saturday evening at the Kennedy Rec Center, routing the Traverse City North Stars by a 6-1 count in the second leg of a three-game series in metropolitan Detroit.

"It was a total team effort," Stars coach Anthony Palumbo. "From top to bottom, a total team effort - or lack thereof, depending on how you look at it. We had no hunger whatsoever tonight, and it was evident in game preparations. You could feel that having clinched a playoff spot last night these guys had an air of satisfaction about them."

The Stars had trailed 3-0 in Friday's series opener before rallying back for an eventual 5-4 overtime win, but found Saturday's 5-0 deficit comparatively insurmountable. The Metal Jackets scored once in the first period, three more time in the first nine minutes of period two, and again early on in the third before the Stars were able to get on the board. Connor Schmidt (Flat Rock, MI/Little Caesars U18/Ferris State) thwarted the hosts' shutout bid 6:56 into the final period. Chris Dienes (Traverse City, MI/TC West HS/Western Michigan) and Tim Opie (Troy, MI/TC North Stars) assisted. Motown added a power play goal - their third of the game - with 1:35 to play.

Tyler Marble (Howell, MI/TC North Stars/Lake Superior St.) made 16 saves for Traverse City, which fell to 37-17-1 and remains in second place in the NAHL North standings by a single point over Janesville.

The teams will clash again on Sunday afternoon at the Kennedy Rec Center. The North Stars will return to Centre ICE for the final time in the regular season on March 25 against Port Huron, with the regular season finale the following night at McMorran Arena.

"Hopefully, a 6-1 shellacking will take care of turning it around for tomorrow," Palumbo added. "Maybe a little embarrassment will help re- focus us."

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



North American Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2011


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