Stars blanked, 3-0
April 9, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release
TRAVERSE CITY - The Traverse City North Stars had little to get excited about on Thursday night at Centre ICE arena, dropping a 3-0 decision to Mahoning Valley in Game 3 of the teams' best-of-5 NAHL North Division semifinal series. The Phantoms scored two goals midway through the first period and never looked back, riding the netkeeping of Garrett Bartus to a shutout victory, and putting Traverse City in a win-or-go-home posture for Friday night's Game 4 showdown. Nick Shkreli scored near the halfway point of the opening stanza, and Johnny Meo made it 2-0 on a breakaway effort at 14:33. Erik Higby made it 3-0 at 14:30 of the middle frame to complete the scoring.
C.J. Motte (St. Clair, MI/TC North Stars) made 26 saves for the hosts, who battled through seven penalty kills, compared to three for the Phantoms. Through three games of the series, Mahoning has enjoyed 24 power plays, with Traverse City gaining the man advantage 18 times. The Stars outshot the visitors by a 13-6 margin in the final period after Mahoning threw 15 on Motte in the first period alone.
The teams meet up again on Friday at Centre ICE arena at 7 p.m. Fans can support the Father Fred Foundation Food Pantry by bringing a non-perishable food item to the game for $2 off their ticket. Two dollars of each ticket sold to fans without food items will be donated to Father Fred.
NAHL North Division semifinals (Best-of-5) Game 1: Friday, April 3 - Mahoning Valley 5, Traverse City 4 Game 2: Sunday, April 5 - Traverse City 4, Mahoning Valley 3 OT Game 3: Mahoning Valley 3, Traverse City 0 (Mahoning, 2-1) Game 4: Friday, April 10 at Traverse City, 7:05 p.m. Game 5: Sunday, April 12 at Mahoning Valley, 7 p.m.* * = if necessary
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. For more information, call Lance-Michael Correia at (231) 632-5047, the Traverse City North Stars office at (231) 941-9200 or visit the team's Web site at: www.traversecitynorthstars.com.
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North American Hockey League Stories from April 9, 2009
- U.S. Men's Nat'l U18 Team Blanks Norway, 8-0 - U.S. National Team
- Bartus Shines in Game Three as Phantoms Blank Stars - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Stars blanked, 3-0 - Traverse City North Stars
- Phantoms' Saad named NAHL Rookie of the Year - NAHL
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