Stars double up Rangers, 2-1
February 21, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release
MARQUETTE - The sum of subtleties on Saturday was sufficient to secure a Stars sweep. Capturing the compartmentalized clashes along the way, the Traverse City North Stars claimed a key four-point series, doubling up host Marquette 2-1 at Lakeview Arena in the weekend finale.
"We won all the little battles, did all the little things to win," said Stars head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo. "Whether it was getting to a loose puck first, winning possession along the boards, or working just that much harder to win each individual battle, we just seemed to want it a little more. We played smart hockey, and came away with two wins."
Kyle Bonis (Lindsay, ONT/TC North Stars) levied his NAHL-leading sixth game-winning goal at 3:18 of the second period, after Dan Radke (Orinda, CA/Soo Indians AAA) potted his second in as many nights late in the first. Marquette's Austin Accetura spoiled a shutout bid by Stars goalsweep C.J. Motte (St. Clair, MI/Honeybaked AAA) with a late third period tally.
Eric McLintock (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars) and former Ranger Kyle Jean (Sault Ste. Marie, MI/TC North Stars) assisted on Radke's goal, while Radke and Nate Urbaniak (Perrysburg, OH/TC North Stars) helped on Bonis' power play lamplighter.
"There were a lot of good, solid performances tonight," Palumbo continued. "From the defensive corps and C.J. forward, just about everybody played well. More importantly, there was a palpable desire to win all weekend, and that's something that wasn't as evident last weekend at Motor City."
Traverse City, now 27-12-6, picked up two more points on division- leading Mahoning Valley, and are seven back with 13 regular season games remaining. Third-place Team USA split a pair of games on Saturday, with the Under-18 team falling to St. Louis and the U-17s topping Alpena, and remains nine behind the North Stars with six games in hand.
"One game at a time, one series at a time," Palumbo cautioned. "Coaches say that all the time for good reason. You can sit up all night doing the math, figuring out all the possibilities, and worrying about who's playing who and all that - but if you don't win the games on your schedule, the math becomes pretty easy."
The Stars also seized control of the SmithBarney Challenge Cup series with Marquette, holding a 14-9 lead in the 13-game season series through 10 meetings. The clubs play the 11th installment on Thursday at Centre ICE arena, while Alpena visits TC on Friday evening. Both games face-off at 7 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.
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North American Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2009
- Stars double up Rangers, 2-1 - Traverse City North Stars
- North Stars Complete Sweep - Marquette Rangers
- U.S. Nat'l U17 Team Drops Alpena, 3-2 - U.S. National Team
- Jr. Blues Look To Take Two From Wichita Falls - Springfield Jr. Blues
- U.S. National Under-18 Team Drops 3-0 Decision to St. Louis - U.S. National Team
- Bobcats Battle Blizzard in Two - Bismarck Bobcats
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