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Stars double up Diggers

February 1, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


TRAVERSE CITY - Keep choppin' wood. A simple cliché, but that's the mantra adopted by the Traverse City North Stars as they enter the stretch drive and take aim on the fourth and final playoff slot in the NAHL North Division, currently held by Marquette.

The Stars, who have gone 2-1-2 since returning from the NAHL North Showcase two weeks ago, felled another tree on Friday night at Centre ICE arena, taking down Alpena by a 4-2 margin.

"It wasn't our best game, it wasn't their best game," explained TC head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo. "But all the things we've been talking about - and doing - lately, we did again tonight. We competed hard, we had the jump and the effort, and good things happened. We're just going to continue to work hard and we'll take the results as they come."

On Friday, Joe Greener (Camberley, ENG/Cleveland NAHL) got things going late in the first period, connecting on a power play marker as set up by Kory Kaunisto (Salt Ste. Marie, MI/Waterloo USHL) and Matt Hughes (Goodrich, MI/Bozeman NAHL). Hughes made it a 2-0 margin just 2:24 into the second stanza, on a return feed from Greener via Kyle Bonis (Lindsay, ONT).

After Eric McLintock (Traverse City, MI/Soo Indians AAA) put the host North Stars up by three at 5:13 of the final period, the IceDiggers - who had lost just two regulation contests since the start of December - struck for a pair of quick-fire power play markers, setting up a Bonis empty-net clincher with 1:08 to go, sending home nearly 900 fans home happy.

"The thing I think has started to happen is that we're winning and losing together," Palumbo added. "It just seems like it's taken some time for the guys to get to know the new (coaching) staff, and vice-versa. It seems as though we're more on the same page now than at any time this season."

Brandon Stephenson (Saline, MI/Victory Honda AAA) surrendered two or fewer goals for the third consecutive start, quashing 27 of 29 shot attempts and winning for the second time in that span. Alpena netkeep Nick Graves absorbed just his first regulation loss since becoming the Diggers' backstop 15 starts ago.

Traverse City (13-19-10) is now nine points behind fourth-place Marquette, with a game in hand and four head-to-head matchups with the Rangers still on the slate. Marquette was dealt a 4-2 loss on Friday by interdivisional foe Alexandria (Mn.). The North Stars travel to Alpena (25-14-3) on Saturday night to cap the weekend series before enjoying the following weekend off.

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 1, 2008


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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