Stars shaded in opener, 5-4

Published on April 3, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, OH - In a game with almost as many whistles as fans in the stands, the Mahoning Valley Phantoms rode a potent power play to a 5-4 victory over the Traverse City North Stars on Friday in the opening chapter of the best-of-five NAHL North Division semifinals at the Chevy Centre in downtown Youngstown. The teams combined for 21 penalties, with the host Phantoms converting four man-up tallies in 11 chances.

"It was a game of special teams, and their power play was better than ours tonight, no doubt about it," said TC head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo, whose team managed one PPG in 10 tries. "It's too bad that a nice crowd had to be subjected to that - where one guy wants to be the show out there. But we can't get caught up worrying about the officiating. Whatever they serve us, that's what we've got to deal with."

Kyle Bonis (Lindsay, ONT/TC North Stars) put the visitors in front just over six minutes into the game, racking a mid-slot puck past Mahoning netkeep Jordan Tibbett. Nate Urbaniak (Perrysburg, OH/TC North Stars) and Garrett Thompson (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars) assisted.

The Phantoms registered the next three goals - all on the power play - before Bonis' second tally of the evening capped the second period scoring. Eric O'Hearn (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars) and Travis White (Sterling Hts., MI/St. Louis NAHL) set up the marker.

Mahoning Valley finally scored an even-strength goal 5:07 into the third, but TC defenseman Mike Schenfeld (Littleton, CO/Lake Forest Academy) responded with an unassisted marker a minute and a half later. The see-saw affair continued at 10:54 with a Mahoning goal, followed by an Eric McLintock (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars) that made it a one-goal final. Tibbett toed away a point-blank backhanded attempt by Kyle Jean (Sault Ste. Marie, MI/TC North Stars) in the waning moments to preserve the victory.

"We had some pretty good intensity in the first period, but it seemed to subside as the game went on," Palumbo said. "We outplayed them for long stretches, but couldn't seem to break through before we were trading trips to the (penalty) box. Game 2 isn't technically a must-win on Sunday, but we have to come out of here with a win."

C.J. Motte (St. Clair, MI/Honeybaked AAA) stopped 16 shots, while Traverse City outshot Mahoning by a 35-21 margin.

Game 2 of the best-of-5 set is slated for Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. The series will move to Centre ICE arena on Thursday, April 9 and Friday, April 10. If a decisive fifth game is necessary, the teams will reconvene in Youngstown on April 12.

NAHL North Division semifinals (Best-of-5) Game 1: Friday, April 3 - Mahoning Valley 5, Traverse City 4 (MV, 1-0) Game 2: Sunday, April 5 at Mahoning Valley, 3 p.m. 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.

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North American Hockey League Stories from April 3, 2009


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