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Stars claim OT triumph

February 7, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


BOARDMAN, Ohio - Heading into this weekend's crucial three-game tilt at first-place Mahoning Valley, Traverse City North Stars head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo said his team was going to have to battle through adversity at times down the stretch this season.

But not necessarily all at once.

The Stars battled pre-game bus troubles, an unexpected body check in the waning seconds of regulation, and the specter of a 4-1 loss to the Phantoms the previous evening to score a 6-5 victory in overtime on Saturday at the Boardman IceZone. Phil Wendecker (Westland, MI/TC North Stars) netted the game-winner 3:31 into the extra session, after Mahoning forced OT with four seconds left in regulation.

"The bus broke down on our way to the game, and our parents had to shuttle players and gear to the rink," Palumbo explained. "We couldn't get everyone there in time, and Eric O'Hearn and Phil Wendecker missed almost the entire first period because they didn't have their gear yet. It felt like we were a house league team again. Without those parents, we'd still probably be sitting at that gas station - they saved us."

When the North Stars did finally amble onto the suburban Youngstown ice, Travis White (Sterling Heights, MI/St. Louis NAHL) began dishing out vulcanized rubber at a breakneck clip, setting a team record with four assists, including two in the first six minutes of the affair. David Johnstone (Grand Ledge, MI/Team nXi AAA) opened the scoring at 4:56 from White and Kyle Jean (Sault Ste. Marie, MI/TC North Stars), followed by a Garrett Thompson (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars) marker just over a minute later. White and Jarrod LaBelle (Bay City, MI/TC North Stars) drew assists.

After Mahoning cut its deficit to 2-1 at 10:44 of the first period on a penalty shot, Dean Pawlaczyk (Madison Heights, MI/Little Caesars U-16) closed the opening stanza with his third goal of the season, and Josh Miller (Trenton, MI/Trenton HS) bagged a power play score 7:59 into the second. Marc Thompson (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars) set up Pawlaczyk, while White and Nate Urbaniak (Perrysburg, OH/TC North Stars) helped TC to a 4-1 lead.

The hosts registered three consecutive goals before White levied what appeared to be the game-winning tally at 10:29 of the third. However, with four ticks on the clock, an on-ice official got caught near the Traverse City crease, effectively drawing an assist on Jordy Trottier's equalizer.

"He pretty much body-checked Whitey off the play," Palumbo explained. "It's not a stretch to say that we deserved to win this game in regulation. They got a point out of it, but we did fight through some difficult circumstances and get the win. It's a win we earned through effort and determination and I'm proud of the guys for that, no doubt about it."

Brandon Stephenson (Saline, MI/TC North Stars) saw plenty of action in net for Traverse City (25-10-5), halting a season-high 39 shots to claim his second straight victory. The Stars pared a point off the Phantoms' lead in the NAHL North, and now trail Mahoning by three points. Third-place Alpena kept pace on Saturday, knocking off Motor City 4-2 to remain six points behind TC.

"What we didn't do on Friday night, we came back with tonight," Palumbo added. "The energy and intensity were there from the minute we stepped on the ice, and we'll have to have all of that and then some tomorrow, because you know Mahoning is going to come back ready to go."

The Stars and Phantoms (27-10-4) close out their trifecta on Sunday at 3 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.



North American Hockey League Stories from February 7, 2009


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.

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