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February 25, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL) News Release


Traverse City finds winning formula

Two more wins keep North Stars in playoff hunt

They might sit in last place in the NAHL's North Division, but with a 6-3-1 record in their last 10 games, including two home victories over the Alpena IceDiggers last weekend, don't count the Traverse City North Stars out just yet.

"For our fans, I'm sure that two straight sweeps of one of our biggest rivals was nice, but for us it's just important to compete hard and execute every night, no matter who we're playing," said North Stars coach-GM Anthony Palumbo, whose team improved to 17-19-11 on the season.

Kyle Bonis potted two goals as the North Stars doubled up the IceDiggers on Friday, 4-2. Jonathan Sheridan tallied the game-winning goal, while goaltender Chris Paliafito turned back 17 shots.

The next night, Traverse City bested Alpena, 5-4, in a 10-round shootout. Harrison Niemann and Kory Kaunisto each rang up a goal and an assist in the triumph, with Jameson Raymond scoring the game-winner in the shootout. Paliafito made 27 saves in regulation and six of 10 in the shootout to secure the victory.

"We got solid defense, great goaltending and some very timely goals," said Palumbo. "We seem to be learning how to win."

Are they ever. With their victory on Saturday, the North Stars set a team record for points in a season with 45, eclipsing last year's mark of 43.

Individually, Nate Urbaniak, 19, set a team mark for most points in a season with 53, surpassing the 46 points Patrick Nagorsen, now a freshman at Western Michigan, totaled a year a ago. Urbaniak, a Top Prospects Tournament participant, has 18 points in his last 10 games.

"Nate's a guy who is responsible defensively and creative on the offensive end," said Palumbo. "He's really a complete package."

Bonis also had an outstanding weekend for the North Stars, delivering two goals and an assist, along with a plus-3 rating. The 19-year-old from Lindsay, Ontario, has 11 points in his last 10 contests.

"Kyle's been as consistent an offensive threat as we have pretty much from the day he got here, and last weekend was no different," said Palumbo.

Between the pipes, Paliafito has been outstanding the last few weeks, assuming the bulk of the minutes for the injured Brandon Stephenson.

"Chris has really started to come into his own right now," said Palumbo. "When he came in, we knew he had a great deal of ability and it was just a matter of getting comfortable. He's given us a great deal of stability back there."

Despite their positioning in the North's cellar, the North Stars have proven to be formidable foes all season. Seventeen of their 19 losses have come by only one goal, with 11 of those decided in overtime or a shootout.

"I think we've had a good team all year," said Palumbo. "We've played some good hockey against some very tough competition and haven't always had the bounces go our way.

"Now, it seems we're learning how to win, our coaching staff seems to be growing to understand the team and we're getting those bounces."

Palumbo also credits his team's tight-knit rapport for its recent success.

"Our team camaraderie has developed to where we have a great group of guys that get along extremely well," he said. "I think they're starting to realize the importance of taking care of each other."

With 11 games left in the regular season, including four against fourth-place Marquette and one against the fifth-place U.S. Under-17 Team, the North Stars know they have plenty of life, but are focused on taking the month of March one game at a time.

"We can't worry about who we're playing next, and we can't get caught up in what all the other teams in the mix are doing," said Palumbo. "It's sort of a cliche, but you can get distracted with all the other stuff. If we go out and play the way we're capable of, all that will work itself out."

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

North Division: Michael Clemente - USNTDP

U.S. Under-17 Team goaltender Michael Clemente recorded a pair of wins last weekend, turning back 57 of 58 shots. On Saturday, the 18-year old made 17 saves in a 2-1 triumph over Marquette. The next night, the Great Falls, Va., native stopped all 40 shots as the U.S. team blanked Alpena, 2-0.

"Michael was outstanding in net in his two games last weekend," said U.S. National Under-17 Team coach Ron Rolston. "He made a number of difficult saves through traffic and he had great puck awareness."

HONORABLE MENTION: Alpena forwards Jimmy McCusker and Erik Peterson; Traverse City goaltender Chris Paliafito

Central Division: Phil Cook - Springfield Jr. Blues

Springfield goaltender Phil Cook backstopped the Jr. Blues to a 2-1 record against division-leading North Iowa last weekend, turning aside 89 of 93 shots. After making 26 saves in a 3-1 loss on Friday, the 20-year-old rebounded the next night with a 24-save shutout (7-0). On Sunday, the Wheaton, Ill., native turned aside 39 shots as the Jr. Blues downed the Outlaws, 4-1.

"Phil is stepping up to the challenge and is playing his best hockey of the season right now," said Jr. Blues coach Chris Wyler. "He's giving us a chance to win every night."

HONORABLE MENTION: Alexandria defenseman Taylor Vichorek; Bismarck forward Kyle Maggard; Fargo-Moorhead forward Andrew Harrison and defenseman Mark Johnson; Southern Minnesota defenseman Robby Spalding

South Division: Eriah Hayes - Topeka RoadRunners

Topeka forward Eriah Hayes struck for five goals and three assists last week as the RoadRunners skated to three wins over Alaska. On Wednesday, the 19-year-old recorded four goals, including the game-winner, and an assist in an 11-1 triumph. On Sunday, the La Crescent, Wis., native tallied a goal and assisted on Dennis Brown's game-winning marker as the RoadRunners bested the Avalanche, 4-1. Hayes wrapped up his week with an assist in Topeka's 3-1 triumph on Saturday. He was also a plus-6 for the week.

"Eriah has established himself as a legitimate force this year," said RoadRunners coach-GM Scott Langer.

HONORABLE MENTION: Wichita Falls forward Mike Henderson

LAST WEEK'S SCORES/HIGHLIGHTS

Wednesday, February 20

Topeka 11 @ Alaska 1 (TOP: Hayes, 3G, GWG, A, +3)

Thursday, February 21

Fargo-Moorhead 5 @ Alexandria 2 (FM: Beaudette, G, 2A, +1)

Friday, February 22

Topeka 4 @ Alaska 1 (TOP: Hayes, G, A, +2)

Alexandria 2 @ Bismarck 5 (BIS: Maggard, G, 2A, +2)

Texas 2 @ Fairbanks 5 (FBX: McRae, G, 3A, +3)

Wichita Falls 4 @ Kenai River 3 (WF: McKenzie, 2A, +1) Fargo-Moorhead 3 @ Southern Minnesota 4 (SM: Spalding, G, GWG)

North Iowa 3 @ Springfield 1 (NI: Moe, GWG)

Alpena 2 @ Traverse City 4 (TC: Bonis, 2G, +2)

Marquette 6 @ USNTDP 4 (MAR: Chad Pietila, 2G, A, +3)

Saturday, February 23

Topeka 3 @ Alaska 1 (TOP: Shafer, G, A, +1)

Traverse City 5 @ Alpena 4 (SO) (TC: Niemman, G, A, +2)

Alexandria 6 @ Bismarck 5 (SO) (ALX: Freismuth, 2G, A, +2)

Texas 2 @ Fairbanks 4 (FBX: McCabe, GWG, A, +3)

Wichita Falls 10 @ Kenai River 5 (WF: Henderson, 2G, GWG)

Fargo-Moorhead 2 @ Southern Minnesota 3 (SM: Spalding, GWG, A)

North Iowa 0 @ Springfield 7 (SPR: Patterson, 2G, 3A, +1)

Mahoning Valley 1 @ St. Louis 5 (STL: Heeter, 28 saves)

Marquette 1 @ USNTDP 2 (USA: Golembiewski, GWG)

Sunday, February 24

USNTDP 2 @ Alpena 0 (USA: Clemente, 40 saves)

North Iowa 1 @ Springfield 4 (SPR: Globke, GWG, A)

Mahoning Valley 1 @ St. Louis 5 (STL: Warda, G, GWG, +2)

AROUND THE NAHL TOP PROSPECTS CONCLUDES: The USNTDP and the North Division finished with 2-1 records at last week's NAHL Top Prospects Tournament in Ann Arbor, Mich., while the Central and South Divisions posted 1-2 marks.

WARDA TO MICHIGAN STATE: Second-year St. Louis forward Ben Warda, 20, has committed to Michigan State University (CCHA) for next season. The Top Prospects Tournament participant from Lake Orion, Mich., ranks fifth in league scoring this season with 24 goals for 65 points after 49 games.

WENATCHEE GRANTED CONDITIONAL APPROVAL: The NAHL's Board of Governors has voted to grant conditional approval for an expansion franchise to Wenatchee (Washington) Junior Hockey LLC to begin play next season.

PITTSBURGH WINS MIDGET SHOWCASE: The Pittsburgh Hornets won the third and final tournament of this year's NAHL Midget Showcase Series in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Hornets finished with a perfect 6-0 record, including a 4-2 win over the Chicago Young Americans in the championship game.

SPALDING IMPRESSES ON D: Southern Minnesota defenseman Robby Spalding, 20, rang up three goals, including the game-winner on Friday, and an assist as the Express skated to a two-game sweep over Fargo-Moorhead last weekend. "Robby has a lot of options for next year," said Express coach-GM Matt Romaniski. "He's either looking at going to school or possibly starting a professional career in the minors."

ROCKER ROLLING: Topeka goaltender Lyle Rocker, 19, backstopped the RoadRunners to a pair of wins over Alaska last weekend, improving to 11-0-1 on the season. "Lyle has a tremendous attitude. He's been patient and is making the most of his opportunities," said RoadRunner coach-GM Scott Langer. "His numbers speak for themselves."

MAGGARD MARCHES ON: Bismarck's leading scorer Kyle Maggard, a 19-year-old Army recruit, racked up two goals and three assists last weekend as the Bobcats picked up three of four points over Alexandria. "Kyle played extremely well for us in two must-win situations," said Bobcats coach Byron Pool. "On a young team that doesn't have a lot of veteran leadership, he's going to be forced to step up his game the rest of the way."

VICHOREK COMING INTO HIS OWN: Alexandria defenseman Taylor Vichorek, 19, notched three goals, including two on the power play, and an assist as the Blizzard split a pair of games with Bismarck. "Taylor is beginning to come into his own offensively and has been playing sound defensively," said Blizzard coach-GM Brad Willner.

JOHNSON FLYING HIGH: Despite two losses to Southern Minnesota last weekend, Fargo-Moorhead defenseman Mark Johnson, 20, connected for a goal and an assist. He was also a plus-2. "Mark is smart with the puck and has good awareness of his surroundings," said Jets assistant coach Aaron Kinslow. "He's a complete player and a coach's dream."

HENDERSON PAYING DIVIDENDS: In a two-game sweep of Kenai River last weekend, Wichita Falls forward Mike Henderson, 18, tallied four goals and an assist. He now has six goals and three assists in his last six games. "Mike was acquired at the trade deadline to give us a little more offense and he hasn't disappointed," said Wildcats coach-GM John Bowkus.

THE WEEK THE AHEAD

Monday, February 25

Wichita Falls @ Fairbanks, 7:00 pm

Tuesday, February 26

Wichita Falls @ Fairbanks, 7:00 pm

Texas @ Kenai River, 7:00 pm

Wednesday, February 27

Traverse City @ USNTDP, 7:30 pm

Thursday, February 28

Wichita Falls @ Alaska, 7:00 pm

Friday, February 29

Wichita Falls @ Alaska, 7:00 pm

Southern Minnesota @ Alexandria, 7:00 pm

Fargo-Moorhead @ Bismarck, 7:05 pm

Texas @ Kenai River, 7:00 pm

Alpena @ Mahoning Valley, 7:15 pm

Springfield @ St. Louis, 7:15 pm

North Iowa @ Topeka, 7:05 pm

Marquette @ Traverse City, 7:05 pm

Saturday, March 1

Texas @ Alaska, 7:00 pm

Southern Minnesota @ Alexandria, 7:00 pm

Fargo-Moorhead @ Bismarck, 7:05 pm

Fairbanks @ Kenai River, 7:00 pm

Alpena @ Mahoning Valley, 7:15 pm

St. Louis @ Springfield, 7:00 pm

North Iowa @ Topeka, 7:05 pm

Marquette @ Traverse City, 7:05 pm

Sunday, March 2

Texas @ Alaska, 4:00 pm

Bismarck @ Alexandria, 5:00 pm

Fairbanks @ Kenai River, 3:00 pm

Alpena @ USNTDP, 3:00 pm

(all times local)

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