Stars swept in Motown

Published on February 14, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


WYANDOTTE - If the Traverse City North Stars aren't where they want to be when the playoffs roll around in April, they may well look back on this weekend as the one that got away. The Stars dropped a 2-1 decision on Saturday evening at Yack Arena, suffering a sweep at the hands of the heretofore hapless Motor City Machine. The Machine claimed Friday's series opener, 3-2 in overtime.

"We actually put forth a much better effort than we did on Friday," said TC head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo. "We are struggling to generate offense right now, and that's something we've been trying to address, but we did play with more intensity - the kind of passion that will win us some road games if we maintain it. We have to find a way to score goals, and I'm not sure we gave Motor City enough respect coming into the series."

The Machine opened the scoring 9:46 in, with the only goal of the first two periods, before Stars winger Dan Radke (Orinda, CA/Soo Indians AAA) evened things up 4:12 into the final stanza. The tie lasted all of 43 seconds before Trevor John dropped in the game- winner. Mike Schenfeld (Littleton, CO/Lake Forest Academy Prep) and David Johnstone (Grand Ledge, MI/Team nXi AAA) assisted on Radke's third of the season.

"Even though we didn't get nearly enough shots on net, we did play a defensively-responsible game," Palumbo added. "I needed to see the effort, needed to see us play hard, and we did."

While the seemingly specious scorekeeping at Yack Arena posited a 28-17 shot advantage for the hosts, Palumbo saluted the play of TC goalkeep C.J. Motte (St. Clair, MI/Honeybaked AAA).

"C.J. was ‘on' tonight, no question," he said. "That kind of performance normally gets you a win."

Traverse City has now dropped four of five since going on a six-game win streak. With the loss - and first-place Mahoning Valley scoring a 6-1 triumph at Marquette - the North Stars (25-12-6) fell eight points behind the Phantoms in the NAHL North Division. Third-place Alpena, which now holds a game in-hand versus TC, sat idle again and is still seven points behind the Stars. While Marquette is presently in fourth place, the drakhorse club is Team USA - eleven points behind Traverse City but with an astonishing eight fewer games played.

The North Stars stay on the road next weekend, heading to Marquette for a Friday-Saturday series at Lakeview Arena.

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 February 14, 2009


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