Sports stats

Stars score shootout win at Springfield

November 13, 2010 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Michael Szmatula scored a goal, assisted on another, and dropped jaws with a game-sealing pirouette marker in the shootout session of a 4-3 victory over host Springfield on Saturday evening at the Nelson Center.

Szmatula (Commerce Twp., MI/Lansing Capitals U18) opened things up by deflecting home a cross-crease pass from Alexander Taulien (Crystal Lake, IL/Lansing Capitals U18) with 1:55 left in the first period. Springfield bagged the next two goals - 1:15 apart near the midway point of the second - before Szmatula fed Taulien for the equalizer. Eric Rivard (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars) gave TC back its lead with 9:14 left in regulation, but the Blues scored a clutch late-game (2:44 left) goal to send the game to a scoreless overtime and subsequent shootout.

The Stars effected a split in their first-ever weekend trip to Springfield, and did so without two key players - defenseman and team captain Travis White and fleet forward Alec Shields - both of whom did not make the journey due to illness.

"I don't know, it might be my own high opinion of our team, but I think we can win every night no matter who is or isn't in the lineup," offered Stars head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo. "I think the guys feel that way too. And of course, it doesn't hurt to get great goaltending like we got tonight - all weekend, really."

Tyler Marble (Howell, MI/TC North Stars/Lake Superior St.) made 29 saves, including four of five in the shootout, to improve to 8-5-1 on the season. Steve Behm (Grand Rapids, MI/Texas NAHL) drew an assist on Taulien's first goal with Traverse City, while Kelin Ainsworth (Thunder Bay, ONT/TC North Stars/Lake Superior St.) set up Rivard. Tim Opie (Troy, MI/TC North Stars) scored a rooftop job in the second round of the shootout, setting up Szmatula's heroic dangle.

"We got good contributions from everyone, including our new guys," Palumbo said. "With Taulien, we needed an extra body and we got a lot more than that. He'll go back to Lansing, but he's going to be a good player at this level in the near future. (Chris) Dienes played a ton of minutes this weekend - important minutes. And (Sean) Murphy almost won it there in the shootout - he had him (the Springfield goalie), but it went off the post."

Traverse City (10-7-1) returns home for a big three-game series against North Division-leading St. Louis next Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Centre ICE Arena. That series, dubbed ‘North Stars Never Forget,' will honor past and present members of the U.S. Military, with the Stars sporting special camouflage jerseys that will be auctioned off. Proceeds benefit the Grand Traverse Area Veterans Memorial and Assistance Fund.

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 November 13, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Traverse City North Stars Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central