North Stars Complete Sweep
February 21, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Marquette Rangers News Release
Marquette - For the second consecutive night, the Traverse City North Stars defeated the Marquette Rangers in North American Hockey League action at Lakeview Arena. Unlike Friday's shootout win, this time the North Stars built a two goal lead; and then held off a Rangers rally in the final five minutes to claim the North Division victory.
"Our defense has been strong," said Rangers head coach Kenny Miller. "For some reason though, we're not winning the battles we need to win in the offensive end of the ice. We're not getting to loose pucks, we're not winning the battles in the corners and it's hurting us as we do what we can to get into the playoffs."
Miller said they've covered the problems in practice and in the locker room, but it's up to the team on the ice to get it done.
"We have the talent to score goals," he said. "But it has to come from within, that desire to do the little things necessary to win; and right now for some reason we've been unable to get motivated. We played a great last 5 minutes of the game, but in this division that's never going to win you hockey games."
Traverse City opened the scoring at 17:53 of the first period when the North Stars Dan Radtke collected a loose puck in front of Rangers goaltender Mike Jarboe. Eric McClintock and Kyle Jean added assists for a one goal lead after one period.
The North Stars would get the eventual game-winner in the second when Kyle Bonis hammered in a rebound at the left side of the Rangers net; after it appeared Jarboe had the puck covered. The goal was the only power play goal of the weekend, as both teams went a combined one for eleven Saturday with the extra skater. Neither team scored on the power play Friday night.
"That's the difference in winning and losing one-goal games," Miller added.
The Rangers Austin Accettura got the Rangers on the board late in the third on an even strength goal from Scott Henegar and Chad Pietila at the 15:20 mark; but it was too little too late despite the Rangers pulling Jarboe in favor of the extra attacker with one minute remaining.
Jarboe stopped 17 of 19, while C.J. Motte made 24 saves on 25 efforts to get the win in goal for Traverse City.
The Rangers and the North Stars will play again this Thursday in Traverse City in a one-game series at Centre Ice Arena.
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North American Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2009
- Stars double up Rangers, 2-1 - Traverse City North Stars
- North Stars Complete Sweep - Marquette Rangers
- U.S. Nat'l U17 Team Drops Alpena, 3-2 - U.S. National Team
- Jr. Blues Look To Take Two From Wichita Falls - Springfield Jr. Blues
- U.S. National Under-18 Team Drops 3-0 Decision to St. Louis - U.S. National Team
- Bobcats Battle Blizzard in Two - Bismarck Bobcats
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