Stars clobber Marquette

February 9, 2007 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


MARQUETTE - Wins are hard to come by in February and March. They're even tougher to achieve on the road. And when a pair of teams who are separated by a few points do battle with playoff positioning on the line, things can get downright contentious.

That was the case on Friday at Lakeview Arena, as the Traverse City North Stars shrugged off the additional pressures imposed by the calendar, the standings, and the prospect of facing off with the most- penalized club in the NAHL to score a 5-3 win over the host Marquette Rangers.

"It was a good game, a good win, but it's only one game," explained Stars head coach Scott Gardiner. "And that's how we're taking 'em - one at a time. There are two teams who want to be in the same position, and right now that's third place in the division."

Harrison Niemann scored twice, including what turned out to be the game-winner 6:33 into the third period, to pace the North Stars (16-26-5) - who are just a win away from equaling last year's victory count - while Jameson Raymond sealed the deal with 4:29 to go.

Referee Tony Paquette had revolving doors installed on the penalty boxes before the contest, and issued a total of 24 penalties for 60 minutes - including 41 minutes to the home squad. Three separate skirmishes dotted the scoresheet, as TC's John Foguth dueled Cody Ikkala a mere :03 into the game, Stars captain Joe Greener faced off with Chris Smith just :02 into the second stanza, and a Sabastion Kimmel-Jake Hauswirth melee completed the dance card late in the third.

"There was a lot of animosity between the teams coming in, and tonight wasn't any different," Gardiner admitted. "I'd expect to see a similarly physical game again on Saturday."

Smith got Marquette (17-23-4) on the board 1:36 into the affair, but TC forward - and native - Mike Glaesmer knotted the score with 5:10 left before the first intermission with a power play goal set up by Ben Plocar and Nick Von Bokern. The tie score lasted all of 12 seconds when Nic Weight put the home club back in front at 15:02.

Niemann got his first marker 6:33 into the second on an unassisted effort, and Aaron Pietila gave visiting Traverse City its first advantage less than four minutes later. Plocar and Von Bokern once again set up the power play lamplighter. Weight once again scored a late goal to close the middle stanza, setting up Neimann's game- bagger and Raymond's insurance marker.

Kyle Jendra got his fifth straight start and made the most of it, squelching 29 of 32 shots, while Matt Brooker made 32 stops in 37 chances. The contest also marked the Stars debut of forward Anthony Schooley, who was acquired from Waterloo of the USHL this week.

The clubs - now separated by just a point in the NAHL North standings - square off again on Saturday night at Lakeview arena before closing out the three-game set on Sunday afternoon in Marquette.



North American Hockey League Stories from February 9, 2007


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.

OurSports Central