LaBelle lifts Stars in shootout
February 20, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release
MARQUETTE - It took the Traverse City North Stars a little longer than expected on Friday night, but Jarrod LaBelle capped a marathon session at Lakeview Arena, scoring the game-winner in the ninth shootout round of a 4-3 victory.
LaBelle, dubbed âRod' by teammates, stickhandled through the crease before going forehand on the short side to halt Traverse City's three-game skid. The North Stars improved to 26-12-6, picked up a point on first-place Mahoning Valley in the NAHL North title chase, and grabbed a 12-9 lead in the SmithBarney Challenge Cup series with Marquette.
After the host Rangers grabbed a 1-0 lead with a shorthanded goal 8:29 in, Kyle Jean (Sault Ste. Marie, MI/TC North Stars) evened things up with 19 seconds to play before the first intermission. Phil Wendecker (Westland, MI/TC North Stars) assisted.
After a scoreless second stanza, things opened up in the third; Nate Urbaniak (Perrysburg, OH/TC North Stars) put the Stars up 4:47 into the period, but Marquette answered less than four minutes later. Chris Heineman (New Boston, MI/TC North Stars) found the back of the net from the point at 9:51 before James Gallagher's putback with 1:44 to play forced the overtime and subsequent shootout. Eric O'Hearn (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars) set up Heineman, while Sean Burke (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars) drew his seventh assist of the year on Urbaniak's marker.
In the shootout, the first scorers connected for both clubs - including TC's Dan Radke (Orinda, CA/Soo Indians AAA) - but Stars goalkeep C.J. Motte (St. Clair, MI/Honeybaked AAA) and Rangers counterpart Mike Jarboe took turns thwarting the next 15 shooters before LaBelle tucked home the final attempt.
Mahoning Valley's loss to Motor City on Friday helped Traverse City close the considerable gap in the NAHL North to nine points. Team USA, steadily ascending the North standings, knocked off Alpena by a 5-1 margin and sits nine more behind second-place TC - but with a full seven games in hand.
Friday's contest was the ninth in the 14-game season series between Traverse City and Marquette. The winner of the series takes home the Smith Barney Challenge Cup. The North Stars and Rangers finish off the weekend on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.
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.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 20, 2009
- Phantoms Grab Three of Four Points Against Machine - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- LaBelle lifts Stars in shootout - Traverse City North Stars
- U.S. Nat'l U17 Team Tops Alpena, 5-1 - U.S. National Team
- Busy Week ahead as RoadRunners begin Six-Game Homestand - Topeka Pilots
- Jr. Blues Look For Revenge This Weekend Vs. Wildcats - Springfield Jr. Blues
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