Stars Fall in Game 2, 7-3
April 7, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release
KALAMAZOO - The Traverse City North Stars' backs are against the proverbial playoff wall after Kalamazoo took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five NAHL North Division semifinals on Saturday afternoon at Wings West Arena, pounding the Stars by a 7-3 margin after claiming Friday's opener, 4-0.
On Saturday, it was Traverse City that got out of the blocks quickly, as Sean Murphy (Cary, NC/Tri-City USHL) gave the visitors the lead just 1:15 into the contest. After Kalamazoo evened things up, Murphy connected with Nathan Harris (Fowlerville, MI/Lansing Capitals U18) on a deke-and-dunk pass that Harris drove into the net at the far post.
The 2-1 first intermission lead would be TC's last, however, as the K-Wings rattled off four second period goals - sandwiched around an Eric Rivard (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars NAHL) tally - to jump ahead 5-3 after two frames. Kalamazoo would add a pair of scores in the third to claim the blowout and command of the series.
The Stars were outshot 31-29, enjoyed just a pair of power plays, and surrendered two goals to the Wings' power play unit. Among the few bright spots was the pugilistic prowess of Alexander Taulien (Crystal Lake, IL/TC North Stars NAHL), who blistered Austin Hervey with a series of body shots and uppercuts in a lopsided scrap late in the first period.
Chris Leibinger (Saginaw, MI/TC North Stars NAHL/Michigan Tech) assisted on Murphy's opening salvo, Chris Waterstreet (Northville, MI/TC North Stars NAHL) keyed the Harris marker with a deft up-the-boards pass after drawing in two defenders, while Harris collected the only assist on Rivard's lamplighter.
Kyle Laslo (Fenton, MI/Osoyoos KIJHL) made 24 saves as the North Stars allowed a season-high seven goals.
The series shifts to Centre ICE Arena next weekend, as the Stars will have to sweep the Friday-Saturday set and then take a decisive Game 5 in Kalamazoo on April 16 if they hope to advance to the North Division finals.
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North American Hockey League Stories from April 7, 2012
- Wings' Rally Drops Bobcats, Evens Series - Bismarck Bobcats
- Blizzard blank Austin - Austin Bruins
- Tornado fall in Game 2, trail Topeka in series 2-0 - Texas Tornado
- 'Runners Take Series Lead with Overtime Win - Topeka Pilots
- Stars Fall in Game 2, 7-3 - Traverse City North Stars
- Thrice As Nice - Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings
- Series Tied Up, 1-1: Game 3 Is Saturday - Wenatchee Wild
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