Stars survive for 6-5 win

Published on October 28, 2007 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


TRAVERSE CITY - The Traverse City North Stars experienced a special teams combustion on Saturday night at Centre ICE arena, but a third period surge by the visiting Mahoning Valley Phantoms put the final outcome in doubt before TC could secure the victory.

The Stars cranked out four goals over a span of just 8:24 in the second period - three of which were power play markers - and outshot the Phantoms by a 26-15 margin through 40 minutes. In the third period, however, Mahoning got things rolling with three straight tallies in under five minutes, but Clinton Bourbonais answered for Traverse City with a shorthanded goal to make it a 5-3 affair. Derek Graham's power play goal for the Phantoms made it a one-goal contest again, but Kellen Michalak's even-up lamplighter a scant 39 seconds later proved to be the game-bagger.

"We were unbelievable for two periods," said Stars head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo. "To go up 4-0 on a team as good as Mahoning, the way we dominated - it was as good a two-period stretch as we've had this year. But rather than keeping our foot on the pedal, we let up and you just can't do this in the North Division. We're still learning how to win."

Tyler Stephens was among the main offensive catalysts for Traverse City (6-4-3), dropping in a pair of second period power play goals, and assisting on the Nate Urbaniak even-strength score that preceded them. Joe Greener recorded just the third ‘playmaker' in team history, dishing out a trio of assists, including a slick cross-ice pass to Michalak on the third period clincher. Matt Hughes logged his team-topping seventh goal of the 2007-08 campaign; Both he and Hughes also drew an assist each. Ben Dykstra, Harrison Niemann, and goalie Brandon Stephenson were also credited with assists on Saturday. Stephenson made 19 saves in net.

"I liked the fact that every time it became a one-goal contest, we responded each time," Palumbo added. "We didn't let their surge derail us. We answered the challenge, and that's important for a team still trying to get used to the ‘winning' thing."

The North Stars hit the road next weekend to take on the Ann Arbor- based U.S. National Team Development Program's Under-18 squad in a Friday-Saturday series. TC returns to Centre ICE for a three-game set with Mahoning Valley from Nov. 16-18 before the club's traditional Thanksgiving Eve showdown with Alpena.

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.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



North American Hockey League Stories from October 28, 2007


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.

OurSports Central