Phantoms rock Stars, 9-2

Published on March 13, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


YOUNGSTOWN - The Traverse City North Stars' three-game weekend in the rust belt got off to a rough start, as the Mahoning Valley Phantoms scored early and often in a 9-2 drubbing at the Chevy Center in downtown Youngstown on Friday. The Phantoms, a club propped up by a pyrotechnics concern of the same name, delivered their own fireworks, including seven unanswered goals to close the contest.

First-place Mahoning enjoyed a 2-0 lead after one period, were unfazed by the Stars' two-goal outburst to open the second, then opened the offensive floodgates the rest of the way. The Phantoms scored a pair of power play goals to go with two shorthanded efforts, and moved closer to securing the NAHL North Division regular season crown.

Kyle Bonis (Lindsay, ONT/TC North Stars) and Nate Urbaniak (Perrysburg, OH/TC North Stars) scored the TC goals in the first 6:34 of the second stanza, but success on Friday proved fleeting for the visitors. Brandon Stephenson (Saline, MI/TC North Stars) was tagged with loss after making 24 saves in 33 chances.

Brandon Saad and Cullen Lundholm scored two goals each for Mahoning (34-12-5), while Stefan Salituro dished out a trio of assists. Traverse City fell to 28-17-6, and is suddenly peering over its shoulder at fourth-place Alpena, 4-1 winners over Motor City on Friday and just seven points behind TC in the standings.

The North Stars and Phantoms square off again on Saturday at 7:15 p.m., followed by Sunday's 3 p.m. matinee.

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North American Hockey League Stories from March 13, 2009


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