North Stars outshot, but hang on for victory

Published on October 21, 2005 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


BLAINE, Minn. - A win is a win. That adage was proven true again on Friday at the North American Hockey League Showcase, as the Traverse City North Stars were outshot by a 47-28 margin by Wasilla (Ak.) but held off the Spirit for a 4-3 victory at Schawns Super Rink in Blaine. "We found a different way to win today," admitted Stars coach/GM Scott Gardiner. "You know, we're not going to dominate every game for all three periods. Today, we dominated the second period but they outplayed us in the first and third. Last night (Thursday's 7-1 rout of Billings) we dominated the whole game, but you have to learn to win in a lot of different ways if you want to get where you're going."

Adam Sponseller got things revved up for the Stars (6-4-3) at 12:49 of the opening period on assists from fellow forward Matthew Larke and defenseman Richie Zobak. Jesse Bryant tied it up for Wasilla just under seven minutes later - with :16 left until the first intermission. The Spirit (7-9-0) peppered TC netkeep Ryan Donovan with 14 shots to just four for the Stars.

Jared Mullen and Anthony Sarno registered second period goals for Traverse City. It was Mullen's fourth tally of the 2005-06 campaign, while Sarno enjoyed his first. Travis Paeth and Patrick Nagorsen drew assists on Mullen's score, while Mullen and Zeke Costello were credited with assists on the Sarno lamplighter. Jonathan Juliano made it 4-1 just 2:34 into the third stanza on a pass from Larke, a goal which proved to be the game-winner. David Gault (6:13) and Andy Sternberg (16:45) cut the Stars' deficit to 4-3 with 3:15 to play in regulation, but Donovan's heroics stood up. "The difference today was Ryan Donovan," Gardiner explained. "I mean, he gave up three (goals) in 47 shots - I think that pretty much speaks for itself."

The contests also featured a reunion of sorts, as Wasilla forward Mike Glaesmer faced off against former prep rivals Scott Ponstein, Jake Erway and Joe St. John. Glaesmer prepped at Traverse City West before moving on to Marquette's midget-AAA entry and eventually the NAHL club for which he now toils. He played against Erway (TC Central), St. John (Gaylord), and Ponstein (GT Bay Reps) during that time, and was even a teammate of Ponstein's in the Grand Traverse Hockey Association.

NAHL Showcase action wraps up on Saturday, as TC takes on Fairbanks in a 1 p.m. EST affair. Gardiner says the team will have its collective hands full with the Ice Dogs. "They're a good, solid team coming off a win over USA (on Thursday). They have size and skill and our work will be cut out for us."

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.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



North American Hockey League Stories from October 21, 2005


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.

OurSports Central