Stars skate to 4-3 shootout win

Published on November 26, 2010 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


TRAVERSE CITY - Michal Toman, Tim Opie and Kelin Ainsworth registered shootout goals, and goaltender Tyler Marble had the final say on Friday, as the Traverse City North Stars outlasted Michigan in a marathon matchup at Centre ICE Arena.

Ainsworth's highlight-reel backhand drop shot found its way inside the far post in the third round of the shootout, and Marble (Howell, MI/TC North Stars/Lake Superior St.) steered aside a fifth-round attempt to clinch the Stars' third straight victory, and fourth win in the last five outings.

The Stars (13-8-1) had a pair of two-goal leads at 2-0 and 3-1 before the Warriors stormed back with a pair of third period markers to send the game to an extra frame and subsequent shootout. Traverse City's powerplay ran dry on Friday, going 0-for-7 with the man advantage, including a protracted 5-on-3 in the middle of the second period.

"There were some things to take away from this one," said Traverse City head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo. "I like that even though we let them get back in it, we didn't let it get us down and came out in the OT and created some chances. I didn't like the special teams. I think our powerplay let us down tonight. If we capitalize on some of those chances, it could have been a different kind of game."

Wunderkind defenseman Chris Leibinger (Saginaw, MI/Saginaw Heritage) got the hosts on the board first, delivering his first junior goal 9:02 into the affair on a pass from Michael Szmatula (Commerce Twp., MI/Lansing Capitals U18). The North Stars enjoyed their first two- goal lead at 5:59 of the second when Chris Waterstreet (Northville, MI/Omaha USHL) connected. The bulge wouldn't last long, however, as the Warriors halved the deficit just three minutes later.

Connor Schmidt (Flat Rock, MI/Little Caesars) swept in his second goal of the year 4:45 into the third stanza, giving TC a 3-1 lead, but Michigan responded with a powerplay goal less than two minutes after that and the equalizer with 5:38 left in regulation.

Marble finished with 18 saves to improve to 11-6-1, while Schmidt and Van Wormer (Traverse City, MI/TC Central HS) chipped in with an assist each.

"There were some costly mistakes, but I can see us getting better every game," Palumbo explained. "Overall, Tyler played well, Chris (Waterstreet) and Jared (Van Wormer) gave us some very good minutes, and we did enough to win."

As for Ainsworth's Datsukian dangle?

"That was a pretty nice move," Palumbo added. "Guys are always trying new stuff in practice, trying to be creative. Sometimes it can mean the difference between getting one point or two."

The teams will reprise their rivalry on Saturday evening at Centre ICE Arena, with face-off slated for 7 p.m. North Stars alums Kyle Bonis, Andy Huff, and Garrett Thompson, all of whom currently play for Ferris State University, are scheduled to drop the ceremonial opening puck(s). Fans can skate with the team after the game, with Centre ICE Arena providing free rental skates - fans must bring their own helmets, however.

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 November 26, 2010


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