Stars prevail in OT, even series

April 5, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, OH - Nate Urbaniak got things started - then he closed up shop. The Traverse City North Stars center scored the opening goal, and even more importantly, delivered the death blow 18 seconds into overtime on Sunday afternoon at the Chevrolet Centre, giving the visiting Stars a 4-3 victory and evened the series with Mahoning Valley at 1-all.

The first goal off the stick of Urbaniak (Perrysburg, OH/TC North Stars) came a scant 1:12 into the contest, as subsequent tallies from Jarrod LaBelle (Bay City, MI/TC North Stars) and Marc Thompson (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars) gave Traverse City a seemingly insurmountable 3-0 advantage near the contest's halfway point. The Phantoms responded with a trio of goals, including the final two in a span of just 2:27 to open third, and the game went to an extra frame - briefly. Urbaniak took a centering pass from Kyle Bonis (Lindsay, ONT/TC North Stars) and drove home the clincher from near point-blank range, sending the series back to Traverse City for a pair of guaranteed home dates - Thursday, April 9 and Friday, April 10.

Bonis also assisted on Urbaniak's first goal, while Chris Heineman (New Boston, MI/TC North Stars) and Chris Salomone (Homer Glen, IL/Chicago Young Americans AAA) set up Thompson 8:45 into the second. LaBelle's lamplighter was an unassisted shorthanded effort.

C.J. Motte (St. Clair, MI/Honeybaked AAA) made 25 saves for his first career playoff victory, while Mahoning counterpart Jordan Tibbett stopped 18-of-22 tries.

NAHL North Division semifinals (Best-of-5) Game 1: Friday, April 3 - Mahoning Valley 5, Traverse City 4 Game 2: Sunday, April 5 - Traverse City 4, Mahoning Valley 3 OT (Tied, 1-1) Game 3: Thursday, April 9 at Traverse City, 7:05 p.m. Game 4: Friday, April 10 at Traverse City, 7:05 p.m. Game 5: Sunday, April 12 at Mahoning Valley, 7 p.m.* * = if necessary

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 April 5, 2009


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