Stars top Alpena in shootout

Published on December 30, 2006 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


TRAVERSE CITY - The Traverse City North Stars didn't lead Saturday's game against Alpena until the final shot - but Sabastion Kimmel's shootout conversion in the fifth and final chance of the session was enough to give the host North Stars a 5-4 victory over Alpena in front of nearly a thousand fans at Centre ICE arena.

"We kept battling," said TC head coach Scott Gardiner. "That was a gritty effort we put forth, and in the end it was just enough. It doesn't have to be pretty to count as two points."

The IceDiggers, who came into Saturday's series opener having won six of their last eight, built a 2-0 second period lead, but Patrick Nagorsen roofed a wrister from the right face-off circle area to cut the visitors' deficit in half. Ben Plocar evened it up a scant :18 into the third period, but Alpena answered a mere 30 seconds later to go out front again.

Aaron Pietila knotted the game again with exactly 10 minutes to play, but again the Diggers responded, building a one-goal bulge less than two minutes later. Things looked somewhat bleak for Traverse City until Nate Urbaniak forced overtime with a clutch lamplighter with 2:46 left in regulation.

In the overtime, TC managed just one shot, but newly-acquired 6- foot-5 goalkeeper Martin Iberer stood tall in overtime, and after allowing Todd Rudasill's first shootout conversion, blanked the remaining shooters. Iberer made 42 saves on 46 shots in his TC debut.

The Stars and Diggers square off again on Sunday in a New Year's Eve clash slated for 6 p.m.

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 December 30, 2006


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