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Open for Business: Stars Topple Texas

September 15, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


BLAINE, Minn. - The Traverse City North Stars opened the 2011-12 season on Wednesday with a Texas-sized victory, scoring a 4-1 victory over the Tornado on the first day of the four-round NAHL Showcase at Schwan Super Rink in suburban Minneapolis.

Stars goaltender Kyle Laslo (Fenton, MI/Osoyoos KIJHL) sparkled between the pipes, stopping 28 shots to help secure the victory in Chad Fournier's head coaching debut. Laslo made several key saves during an extended penalty-kill sequence that included a protracted two-man disadvantage.

"We got great goaltending tonight," Fournier said. "Kyle made all the saves he should have and then some. He really controlled the pace of the game, getting us whistles when we needed them, and that was big for our defense."

The North Stars, who have won five of seven season-openers since joining the NAHL in 2005, got on the board first when Will Badner (Cadillac, MI/Motor City NAHL) broke the seal with a power play marker at 5:14 of the first period. The teams traded goals in the second stanza, with Mitchell Snider (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars NAHL) putting TC ahead 2-0 with 5:37 to play in the frame.

After Texas halved its deficit late in the second, the North Stars broke things open in the early moments of the final frame. Chris Leibinger (Saginaw, MI/TC North Stars NAHL) tallied a mere 41 seconds in, and Kyle Loridon (Howell, MI/Lansing Capitals U18) followed suit a little more than a minute and a half later.

"We talked beforehand about being the hardest-working team here (at the Showcase)," Fournier explained. "It's the first game, we're still a young team - there are going to be mistakes. But if we make those mistakes while we're working hard, we'll accept that. So we came out with that approach and we were able to get a couple quick ones."

Alec Shields (Pittsburgh, PA/TC North Stars NAHL/Mercyhurst College) helped power the Stars offense, setting up Snider on a dash-and-dish rush and Loridon's insurance goal. Snider, Leibinger, Eric Rivard (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars NAHL), and Jon Farkas (Brighton, MI/ Compuware U18) also drew assists.

"It took a lot of pressure off us to get out of the gates with the first goal and to play with the lead," Fournier added. "It was the players' first game, my first game, first game for (assistant coach) Bob (Spence) - you're never quite certain what to expect, but it was a good first game all around. We gave good effort, and we were never really back on our heels. It's something we can hopefully build on."

Traverse City will complete the Texas two-step on Thursday, facing Odessa in second-day action at the NAHL Showcase. The Jackalopes dropped a 2-1 decision to Springfield on Wednesday.

MINNIE MANIA

WHAT: NAHL Showcase

WHERE: Schwan Super Rink - Blaine, Mn.

WHO: All 28 NAHL teams

WATCH IT: Click the FastHockey link at traversecitynorthstars.com

WEDNESDAY: Traverse City 4, Texas 1

THURSDAY: vs. Odessa, 3:30 p.m. ET

FRIDAY: vs. Aberdeen, 11:30 a.m. ET

SATURDAY: vs. Springfield, 10:30 a.m. ET



North American Hockey League Stories from September 15, 2011


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.

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