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Stars Inch Closer to Playoffs, 2-1

March 15, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


TRAVERSE CITY - 'X' marks the spot for the Traverse City North Stars.

With a 2-1 victory over the Motor City Metal Jackets on Tuesday evening at Centre ICE Arena, the Stars climbed into sole possession of second place in the NAHL North Division standings for the moment - and more importantly, to within a single point of a postseason berth for the third straight season. TC head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo said he was pleased with the victory, but won't be slaked until the sought- after 'X' appears next to his club's name in the standings - an indication of having clinched a spot in the Robertson Cup playoffs.

"It's always good to see that 'X,'" he offered. "We got a good win tonight against one of the teams we're battling with in the standings, but we can't rest until we at least see the 'X'. We played a bit sloppy tonight, but again found a way to get it done. Some of that can be attributed to having just come off a long three-game road trip to St. Louis. We'll give 'em tomorrow (Wednesday) off, but get right back at it on Thursday to get ready for the weekend."

The North Stars improved to 36-16-1, and are just five points behind division-leading St. Louis with a game in-hand on the Bandits. Third- place Janesville is just two behind the Stars, with Michigan and Motor City close behind. Traverse City has won seven of its last eight games, and improved to 18-5 in 2011.

On Tuesday, Traverse City got a couple of timely goals, and the stalwart backstopping of Steve Bolton (Las Vegas, NV/Amarillo NAHL) to edge out the Jackets. Justin Scott (Detroit, MI/Fargo USHL) stuffed home a rebound 2:55 into the affair, and Tim Opie (Troy, MI/ TC North Stars) bagged the eventual game-winner with 2:04 left in the second, redirecting a blast from Travis White (Sterling Hts., MI/TC North Stars/Ferris State) into the net.

In between those goals, Bolton lost an edge and went down to the ice as he was coming out of the crease to cut off the angle on a streaking Andrew Graves. Graves lofted the puck over the sprawling Bolton for a shorthanded tally, tying the game ahead of Opie's key tip-in. Bolton was otherwise impenetrable, stopping 16 shots to lower his goals-against average to 1.40.

"Bolton has come in done a great job," said Palumbo, as Bolton improved to 8-1 since being acquired from Amarillo. "And Tyler (Marble) has been very sharp as well. That's a good thing, because we haven't been in a lot of high-scoring affairs lately. It gives the guys a real shot of confidence knowing that these guys are playing well back there, and vice-versa as we try to keep our shots-against down."

Eric Rivard (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars) assisted on both TC goals, and earned the game's No. 1 star, as selected by Traverse City Record-Eagle sportswriter James Cook. White and Alec Shields (Pittsburgh, PA/TC North Stars/Mercyhurst College) also drew assists in the victory.

The Metal Jackets (30-21-1) played without two of their top players in Steve Brancheau (65 pts. in 50 games) and captain Mike Monfredo (t-2 among NAHL defenseman with 43 pts.); Those players drew three- game suspensions on Saturday for a late-game fracas against Springfield, and will also miss Friday's game in Trenton when the TC- Motor City series resumes for the weekend. The teams will clash again on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon at the Kennedy Rec Center.

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