Jackets Collar North Stars
December 3, 2010 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release
TRENTON - The Traverse City North Stars found out pretty quickly how the Motor City Metal Jackets have become the highest-scoring team in the North American Hockey League.
Thirty-six seconds, to be exact.
The Jackets and Stars battled in a back-and-forth affair for 45 minutes before the hosts pulled away for a 6-3 victory at Kennedy Ice Arena in suburban Detroit. R.J. Kleiman, who struck for that early icebreaker, finished with a trio of markers, while NAHL top scorer Cody Wydo dished out three assists.
Traverse City responded quickly to that initial blow, as Michal Toman (Slovakia/Omaha USHL) put back a rebound 3:42 into the contest. Not to be outdone, Kleiman put Motor City out front again a mere 35 seconds after that. Zack Dorer (Holt, MI/Lansing Capitals U18) evened things up again with 7:05 to play in the first period, as Kelin Ainsworth (Thunder Bay, ONT/TC North Stars/Lake Superior St.) distributed the first of his two assists on the evening.
The North Stars (14-9-1) fashioned their first lead with an early goal of their own a scant :58 into the second frame, as Tim Opie (Troy, MI/TC North Stars) registered his 10th goal of the year. However, it was Kleiman who once again issued the Jackets' response at 3:39. Mike Monfredo's rocket from the left point 2:48 before the second intermission proved to be the decisive salvo, with Motor City bagging an early third-period goal and a late-game empty-netter to make it a three-goal spread.
The Stars finished with a 36-29 edge in shots on goal, including a 10-5 advantage in the final stanza, but did not enjoy their only powerplay until midway through the third. Tyler Marble (Howell, MI/TC North Stars/Lake Superior St.) stopped 23 shots in 28 chances, while Toman, Steve Behm (Grand Rapids, MI/Texas NAHL), and Connor Schmidt (Commerce Twp., MI/Little Caesars U18) had an assist apiece.
The teams will face off again on Saturday night in Trenton in a 7 p.m. series finale.
North American Hockey League Stories from December 3, 2010
- Hot Start Powers Bobcats Romp - Bismarck Bobcats
- Corpus Christi Bulled Over by Amarillo, 3-1 - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Jackets Collar North Stars - Traverse City North Stars
- Wild Sends Johnson to Dubuque: Narsing Called Up - Wenatchee Wild
- Tommy Dowell Traded to Minnesota Owls - Corpus Christi IceRays
- NAHL Top Prospects Tournament Gets Underway Sunday - NAHL
- Bobcats Best Aberdeen in Minot - Bismarck Bobcats
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.
Other Recent Traverse City North Stars Stories
- Stars Fall in Game 2, 7-3
- Wings Claim Playoff Opener, 4-0
- Blond Ambition: Bleaches Stars Open Playoffs Today
- Bad(ner) to the Bone: Winger Scores Four in 6-1 Win
- North Stars Whitewash Jamestown, 3-0
