Stars take 2-0 lead with 5-1 win

Published on April 18, 2010 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


TRAVERSE CITY - The Traverse City North Stars moved one step closer to a Robertson Cup tourney berth on Saturday night at Centre ICE arena, knocking off Motor City by a 5-1 margin in Game Two of the best-of-five NAHL North Division Finals.

The Stars grabbed a 2-0 lead in the series, which shifts to metropolitan Detroit next weekend.

Tim Opie (Troy, MI/TC North Stars) scored a goal and assisted on two others, while a trio of Stars - Dan Radke (Orinda, CA/TC North Stars/ Lake Superior St.), Garrett Thompson (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars/Ferris St.), and Alec Shields (Pittsburgh, PA/Pittsburgh Predators U18) - chipped in with a goal and an assist each.

Drew Strandberg (Thunder Bay, ONT/Thunder Bay SIJHL) and the Traverse City defensive unit continued their stingy ways, permitting just 15 shots on goal. Strandberg has not allowed more than a single goal in any postseason contest, permitting just three through five outings. Strandberg is the league's top playoff netkeep to date, boasting an eye-popping 0.60 goals-against average and .973 save percentage.

Shields got things going for the hosts early on, scoring his first career junior playoff goal 5:46 in. Opie and Thompson assisted. Motor City answered with an even-strength marker of their own near the halfway mark of the first period, but Thompson (2:17), Opie (4:49), and Radke (18:33) filled the statsheet in the second period, and Phil Wendecker (Westland, MI/TC North Stars) closed out the scoring at 12:02 of the third period.

Kyle Jean (Sault Ste. Marie, MI/TC North Stars/Lake Superior St.) assisted on goals by Opie and Wendecker, while Doug Clifford (Woodhaven, MI/Mahoning Valley NAHL) and captain Travis White (Sterling Heights, MI/TC North Stars) set up Radke.

The hosts were afforded an astonishing 14 power play opportunities, collecting three man-advantage markers. Motor City went 0-for-3. Traverse City is now 5-for-26 on power play opportunities in the postseason, fifth-best in the NAHL.

The North Stars will visit Taylor on Friday and Saturday in Games Three and Four. Should a decisive fifth game become necessary, it'll be held at Centre ICE on Monday, April 26 at 8 p.m.

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North American Hockey League Stories from April 18, 2010


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