Sports stats



Stars Claim Opener, 4-1

March 15, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


TRAVERSE CITY - Sean Murphy had the first and last words on Thursday evening at Centre ICE Arena, upping his team-leading goal tally to 21 in the Traverse City North Stars' 4-1 triumph over the Jamestown Ironmen in the first of a three-game series.

Murphy (Cary, NC/Tri-City USHL) bagged an unassisted marker 5:18 into the second period - following a scoreless first frame - and put a cherry on top with 4:50 to play. In between, Lance Fredrickson (Spring Lake, MI/Muskegon USHL/Miami, OH) and Nathan Harris (Fowlerville, MI/Lansing Capitals U18) registered scores for the North Stars (29-18-6). The Ironmen cut the deficit to 2-1 a mere 3:38 into the second period, but Harris' power play lamplighter re-established the hosts' two-goal cushion.

"It was an important win, an important two points," Stars head coach Chad Fournier surmised. "We didn't start off with a very strong first period, but we were able to capitalize on some chances and hit our stride as the game went on."

Kyle Schempp (Saginaw, MI/Compuware U18/Ferris State) assisted on a pair of goals, while Chris Waterstreet (Saginaw, MI/TC North Stars NAHL/Michigan Tech), Seth Adams (Big Rapids, MI/Big Rapids HS/Ferris State), Chris Leibinger (Saginaw, MI/TC North Stars NAHL/Michigan Tech), and Will Badner (Cadillac, MI/Motor City NAHL) chipped in with one apiece.

"We also got great goaltending tonight from Kyle (Laslo)," Fournier added. "That always takes a lot of pressure off."

Laslo (Fenton, MI/Osoyoos KIJHL) made 24 saves to improve to 22-14-5, and narrowly missed his fourth shutout of the season. He is three wins shy of the tying the club's single-season record for wins (25).

The teams will clash again on Friday and Saturday nights at Centre ICE Arena, as the North Stars try to track down second-place Kalamazoo in the chase for the final home-ice playoff slot in the NAHL North Division. Traverse City is six points behind with seven games left on the regular season slate, while Jamestown remains eight points back of fourth-place Michigan for the final playoff berth.

"They're a hard-working team, and they're gong all-out to get in," Fournier said. "We'll have to try to continue to match their intensity, and try to do it for 60 minutes."

The remaining two games in the series face-off at 7 p.m., with a family post-game skate following Saturday evening's affair.



North American Hockey League Stories from March 15, 2012


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.

Other Recent Traverse City North Stars Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central