Stars win again, 5-3

October 10, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


TRAVERSE CITY - The Traverse City North Stars spent much of Friday night boxed in, but still had enough to extend their winning streak to four with a 5-3 victory over the U.S. National Team Development Program's Under-17 squad at Centre ICE arena.

The North Stars (7-2) were whistled for 11 penalties, and spent a goodly portion of the contest on the kill.

"We're winning a little differently every night, and tonight it was the special teams," said TC head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo. "We've spent a lot of time working on the special teams, and our penalty kill got a lot of work tonight. We went 2-for-4 with the extra man, and we held them to one out of 11. I guess I'd say that I'd like to see us play a little more 5-on-5 hockey, but that's a pretty solid effort out of our special teams tonight."

Traverse City has now won four straight games and six of its last seven, and now sits three points ahead of second-place Mahoning Valley in the NAHL North Standings. The Phantoms, who visit Centre ICE arena on Oct. 31 for the start of a three-game series, have a trio of games in hand.

On Friday, Sean Burke (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars) netted a pair of goals, including an empty-net insurance marker with nine seconds remaining. Marc Thompson (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars), Phil Wendecker (Westland, MI/TC North Stars), and Kyle Jean (Sault Ste. Marie, MI/TC North Stars) also scored for Traverse City. Jean's unassisted shorthanded breakaway backhander got the hosts on the board 6:20 into the affair, while Wendecker's even-strength tally at 17:36 of the second period proved to be the game-winner. Jarrod LaBelle (Bay City, MI/TC North Stars) had a pair of assists for the Stars, while Eric O'Hearn (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars) and Tyler Stephens (Rockford, MI/TC North Stars) each contributed one.

"Ultimately, it comes down to getting it done and getting the win, and that's what we were able to do," Palumbo added. "Our special teams were good, but (goalie) C.J. Motte had another good game for us. In the end, despite our penalties, we came out with two points."

Motte, a St. Clair, Mich. product, stopped 25 of 28 shots to log his fourth straight victory and move to 4-1 on the season.

The teams face off again on Saturday evening at Centre ICE arena in a 7 p.m. affair.



North American Hockey League Stories from October 10, 2008


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