Stars claim 3-2 shootout win
September 19, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release
BLAINE, Mn. - It took three periods, five minutes of overtime, and a few shootout participants to figure out Bismarck goalie David Bosner, but the Traverse City North Stars finally did: Deke, go backhand, then upstairs. David Johnstone drew up the blueprint as the third shooter, and Tyler Stephens played copycat six turns later, lifting the Stars to a 3-2 triumph over Bismarck in third round of the four- day North American Hockey League Showcase near Minneapolis.
"It was exciting, and a good win, but the fact that this game went to overtime was a travesty," said Stars head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo. "I don't care what the Poinstreak box score says for shots - we basically didn't let them out of their own end for the last two periods of play. It says they outshot us 35-25, but if THEY had 25 shots, I'd be floored. We were the better team today."
Bosner stole the show through 60 minutes of action, thwarting a seemingly endless litany of TC scoring chances. Stars netkeep Brandon Stephenson was a carbon copy, making a bevy of big stops, including a pair at the end of regulation.
"Brandon was fantastic in regulation, and absolutely awesome in the shootout," Palumbo added. "All around, our effort was better and we played a much smarter game than we did on Thursday."
For the third straight game, Traverse City struck first, as Johnstone (Grand Ledge, MI/Team nXi AAA) registered a power play marker 3:04 into the second period on an assist from Kyle Jean (Sault Ste. Marie, MI/TC North Stars). The lead was short-lived, however, as the Bobcats struck back a mere 21 seconds later. Eric O'Hearn (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars) put the North Stars back in front at 11:41, but despite being on the power play for much of the second period, and first half of the third period, could not crack Bosner. Travis White (Sterling Heights, MI/St. Louis NAHL) set up O'Hearn's man-up tally. Fifteen seconds after a tripping call put Bismarck on the power play, Nick Jensen registered a clutch equalizer at 16:57, sending the game into an extra frame and beyond.
"We had a lot of our vets step up today," Palumbo assessed. "(Kyle) Bonis was fantastic, Chris Heineman, Tyler (Stephens), (Phil) Wendecker - those guys were great, too. We'll need another effort like today against Fairbanks."
Traverse City will close out its Showcase schedule on Saturday morning against Fairbanks before returning to North Division action next weekend against Marquette, including the Sept. 27 home opener at Centre ICE arena.
FIN
WHAT: 2008 NAHL Showcase
WHERE: Schwan Super Rink - Blaine, Mn.
WHEN: Sept. 17-20
WEDNESDAY: Traverse City 3, St. Louis 2
THURSDAY: Alaska 4, Traverse City 3
FRIDAY: Traverse City 3, Bismarck 2
SATURDAY: vs. Fairbanks, 10:30 a.m. EST
LIVE VIDEO: Link to webcast at tcnorthstars.com
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North American Hockey League Stories from September 19, 2008
- U.S. National Under-18 Team Falls to Alexandria, 5-2 - U.S. National Team
- Machine Melt the Icedogs, 3-2 - Motor City Metal Jackets
- Stars claim 3-2 shootout win - Traverse City North Stars
- Phantoms Gain First Place with Shootout Loss - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- U.S. National Under-17 Team Falls to Alaska, 5-2 - U.S. National Team
- U.S. National Under-18 Team Tops Fairbanks, 7-4 - U.S. National Team
- Jr. Blues Beat Alpena in Showcase - Springfield Jr. Blues
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