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Stars Surge Past Michigan, 5-2

February 23, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


FLINT - The Traverse City North Stars basically spotted the host Michigan Warriors a one-goal lead on Wednesday evening at Perani Arena, but were able to right the ship and pull out a key 5-2 road victory against a team with which they're jousting for position in the NAHL North Division.

The Warriors didn't waste any time seizing an early lead, scoring 43 seconds into the contest before the Stars stormed back with three straight markers. Eric Rivard (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars) evened things up less than a minute later, and Tim Opie (Troy, MI/TC North Stars) posted two more - at 5:55 and with 3:58 to play in the first period. Opie's second lamplighter was the product of a neutral zone turnover, and resulted in a two-on-none breakaway with Kelin Ainsworth (Thunder Bay, ONT/TC North Stars/Lake Superior St.).

After Michigan pared the deficit back to a single goal at 9:14 of the second, Michael Szmatula (Commerce Twp., MI/Lansing Capitals U18) pushed the visitors to a two-goal cushion once again, 4:10 before the second intermission. Goalie Steve Bolton (Las Vegas, NV/Amarillo NAHL) keyed the breakout with a long pass that eventually found its way to Szmatula for the finish. Rivard slammed the puck into a vacated Michigan net in the waning minutes of the third frame for a three-goal triumph.

Bolton finished with 35 saves and scored his third victory in as many starts since donning a Starred sweater. Ainsworth and Chris Waterstreet (Northville, MI/Omaha USHL) dealt a pair of assists each, while Curtis Heinz (Grand Rapids, MI/TC North Stars), Michal Toman (Slovakia/Cedar Rapids USHL), Alexander Taulien (Crystal Lake, IL/ Lansing Capitals U18), and Connor Schmidt (Flat Rock, MI/Little Caesars U18/Ferris State) had one apiece.

Traverse City improved to 29-14-1 and pulled two points clear of Michigan and Motor City, and into sole possession of third place - for the moment - in the sardine-style North standings. The Stars trail second-place Janesville by four points with three games in-hand on the Jets.

Michigan and Motor City face-off on Friday, with Motor City coming to Centre ICE Arena this weekend for a two-game series beginning on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. and concluding Sunday (Feb. 27) afternoon at 1 p.m. It's also TBA Credit Union's Teacher Appreciation Weekend, with a pre-game reception and discounted tickets ($6) with school ID from TBACU's five-county region. There is also a post-game Skate with the Stars following Saturday's contest.

SHIELDS HONORED BY LEAGUE: TC forward Alec Shields was named NAHL North Division Player of the Week by the league after leading the Stars to a pair of victories over Port Huron last weekend. Shields (Pittsburgh, PA/TC North Stars/Mercyhurst College) struck for three goals and assisted on two others, and finished with a +4 plus-minus rating in the sweep.

"Alec had a strong weekend," said North Stars head coach Anthony Palumbo told NAHL.com. "He really stepped up for us Saturday and dominated the game. When Alec is at his best, he can really be a game- changer."

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