North Stars combustion continues

Published on February 29, 2008 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


TRAVERSE CITY - The Traverse City North Stars took full advantage of 'Leap Day,' stuffing yet another victory into the franchise's fantastic February with a 4-2 victory over Marquette on Friday at Centre ICE arena.

The Stars won their fifth straight, capped a month of unprecedented prosperity at 7-0-1, reached the .500 mark overall at 19-19-11, and pulled to within two points of Marquette for the fourth and final playoff berth in the NAHL North with nine games left in the regular season.

"I don't think we're doing anything all that different than we were a couple months ago," said Stars head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo, attempting to quantify his team's recent conflagration. "We're still playing solid hockey. We're getting a nice blend of good goaltending, good defense, and timely goal-scoring."

Chris Paliafito, Harrison Niemann, and Kyle Bonis keyed Friday's triumph, which also pulled Traverse City to within four points (12-8) in the SmithBarney Challenge Cup series between the Stars and Rangers, with three meetings remaining.

Paliafito (Shelbyville, KY/Indiana USHL) stopped 26 of 28 shots to improve to 8-6-6 - and 5-0-3 in his last eight starts, while Niemann (two goals) and Bonis (three assists) sparked the offense.

"And the line of Eric O'Hearn, and Garrett and Marc Thompson really gave us a huge boost tonight," Palumbo said. "They were very effective in working together."

Matt Hughes (Goodrich, MI/Bozeman NAHL) got the hosts started on Friday, scoring 6:11 into the contest on assists from Bonis (Lindsay, ONT/Indiana USHL) and Ben Plocar (Elkhart Lake, WI/Springfield NAHL), and Garrett Thompson (Traverse City, MI/Soo Indians AAA) made it 2-0 with 4:04 left in the first period.

Niemann (Canton, MI/Omaha USHL) bagged what turned out to be the game- winner 10:45 into the second stanza, and answered a Marquette goal six minutes into the third to make it 4-1. Clinton Bourbonais (Whitmore Lake, MI/Orchard Lake St. Mary's Prep) and Bonis set up Niemann's initial offering - a power play tally - while Alex Breeden (Ft. Collins, CO/North Iowa NAHL) and Bonis collaborated on the latter.

"We've got a great bunch of kids and I have to give them all the credit in the world for persevering through a tough stretch there in December and January," Palumbo added. "We have had a nice run here, we still have to line up again (Saturday) with a single-minded focus, and that's looking only as far ahead as the next shift."

The Stars will look to continue their combustion on Saturday night at Centre ICE, when the Rangers will make their last visit of the season. Face-off is set for 7 p.m.

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North American Hockey League Stories from February 29, 2008


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