Stars broom Diggers in OT, 5-4

Published on October 4, 2008 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


TRAVERSE CITY - There's no secret formula for getting a ‘bounce of fortune,' a lucky break, or a timely goal. The Traverse City North Stars are getting all three right now, and that's why the Stars are off to the best start in team history at 6-2, own sole possession of first place in the North American Hockey League North Division, and finished off a weekend sweep of geographic rival Alpena on Saturday with a 5-4 overtime victory at Centre ICE arena.

"We just seem to continue to find those ways to come out with a win right now," said Stars head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo. "We struggled a little bit defensively at times tonight, but I really like how we work hard, and we really seem to bear down when our backs are against the wall."

Alpena put the hosts in a 2-0 on Saturday, as Diggers forward Jimmy McCusker bagged a pair of first period markers, including a power play effort at 10:29 of the initial stanza. Thirty-one seconds later, Traverse City began the comeback campaign as Dan Radke (Orinda, CA/ Soo Indians AAA) netted his first junior goal nine minutes before the first intermission, and Chris Salomone (SAL-uh-MOAN-ee) (Homer Glen, IL/Chicago Young Americans AAA) knotted the affair 3:54 into the second period.

Alpena went back on top at 12:28 of the second period, but once again the North Stars bounced back with a power play goal of their own off the stick of Eric O'Hearn (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars) at 15:29. Traverse City went in front for the first time 14:02 into the third period on Salomone's second goal of the night, but the Diggers would not go away, as Mike DeGrazia made it 4-4 with 3:57 to play in regulation.

Following a host of late penalties to both clubs, Kyle Bonis (Lindsay, ONT/TC North Stars) continued his icy wizardry, logging his sixth goal of the season - and third game-winner - 1:28 into OT.

"I'd like to see us not get down 2-0, but it was a pretty solid effort all weekend," Palumbo explained. "We got to play every single skater on our roster, and I have yet to find a weak link. That's a good sign."

Salomone, named the game's first star, assisted on Bonis' game- cincher, as did Nate Urbaniak (Perrysburg, OH/TC North Stars). Urbaniak had a playmaker on the night, his second career three-assist outing, while Tyler Stephens (Rockford, MI/TC North Stars), Garrett Thompson (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars), Marc Thompson (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars), and Radke also drew assists on the evening. Brandon Stephenson (Saline, MI/TC North Stars) earned the victory in net for Traverse City, making 18 saves on 22 chances to improve to 3-1 on the year.

"Timely goals and timely saves, that's the formula we're winning with right now," Palumbo added. "It's still early in the season, but we like the determination and grit we've been playing with."

Second-place Mahoning Valley (5-0-1) won again on Saturday to keep pace with the Stars, just appoint behind in the standings with a pair of games in hand. Traverse City (6-2) hosts the U.S. National Team Development Program's Under-17 squad next weekend in a Friday- Saturday series. Both games face-off at 7 p.m.

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 October 4, 2008


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