Stars fall in shootout
March 14, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release
BOARDMAN, Oh. - The Traverse City North Stars raced to a 3-0 lead at Mahoning Valley on Friday night, but the Phantoms stormed back to knot the contest, and the teams dueled through an eight-round shootout before the hosts claimed the extra point in the standings, 4-3.
Kyle Bonis (Lindsay, ONT/Indiana USHL) scored the first two goals for Traverse City, with the second coming on the power play. Eric McLintock (Traverse City, MI/Soo Indians AAA) made it a three-goal cushion with 2:56 to play in the first before Mahoning began its comeback.
"We made some good plays, we were playing smart hockey," explained Stars head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo. "Then Mahoning stepped in up and we didn't. We struggled to win the little battles, to clear the puck, and we couldn't get a forecheck going. We hung on for a point because Brandon Stephenson was fantastic tonight."
Stephenson (Saline, MI/Victory Honda AAA) was busy all evening, making 40 saves - one short of his career high - including 21 in the second period alone. He snuffed six of eight shooters in the post-overtime session.
"Brandon gave us a great effort tonight, and basically kept us in the game through the second and third periods and beyond," Palumbo added.
North Stars defenseman Tyler Stephens (Rockford, MI/Blind River NOJHL) had a pair of assists, while Nate Urbaniak (Perrysburg, OH/ Toledo Jr B CSHL) and Kory Kaunisto (Sault Ste. Marie, MI/Waterloo USHL) had one each.
Bonis now has 10 points in his last four games, and 18 over his last 11 outings. His 21 goals are second on the team (Urbaniak, 23), and he has an uncanny ability to remain on the ice (just 6 PIM in 33 games).
Despite the point, the Stars (21-19-12) dropped to sixth place in the NAHL North, a point behind fifth-place Marquette and two back of Team USA for the fourth and final playoff berth. Traverse City has a game in hand against each, and three in hand against third-place Alpena, who is still within hailing distance at seven points. The North Stars are 10-1-4 in their last 15 contests.
Traverse City will play the second of the three-game series in suburban Youngstown on Saturday at 7:15 p.m., with the finale on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m.
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North American Hockey League Stories from March 14, 2008
- Outlaws skate to 6-2 win - North Iowa Outlaws
- U.S. Nat'l Under-18 Team Cruises to 6-2 Win Over Texas - U.S. National Team
- Stars fall in shootout - Traverse City North Stars
- U.S. Nat'l Under-17 Team Tops First-Place St. Louis, 4-1 - U.S. National Team
- McGinty Seals Comeback Win With Shootout Snipe - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Rangers Face Key Weekend - Marquette Rangers
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