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Stars win fifth straight, 4-3

March 22, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


ALPENA - The Traverse City North Stars are doing their part. Locked in a battle with Team USA for the second and final home-ice advantage playoff slot in the NAHL North Division, the North Stars completed a six-point weekend with a 4-3 shootout victory over Alpena on Sunday afternoon at Northern Lights Arena.

Traverse City has won five straight games, improving to 33-17-6 with two games left on the regular season schedule.

"It's wasn't what I'd call our best game today," said Stars head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo. "We were outplayed for some long stretches, but held on and somehow found a way to win. We're not going to give the two points back (in the standings)."

Chris Heineman (New Boston, MI/TC North Stars) recorded the first two- goal game of his career with a pair of shielded lasers from the point, the second of which gave the visiting Stars a two-goal bulge halfway through the second period. After Chris Salomone (Homer Glen, IL/Chicago Young Americans AAA) put TC on top 3-1 with 4:43 to play, Alpena stormed back with a pair of third-period tallies, tying the score with 6:33 remaining in regulation.

After a scoreless five-minute fourth period that included a Traverse City power play, the teams each spent their initial five skaters in the shootout - Kyle Jean (Sault Ste. Marie, MI/TC North Stars) converted for the North Stars as the third shooter - Eric McLintock (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars) recorded the game-winner in the sixth round.

Traverse City scored Friday and Saturday wins over the Team USA Under-17s and presently cling to a one-point lead over USA, but the Nationals retain two games in hand. The Under-18s host sixth-place Motor City on Tuesday, while the Under-17s have two against Motor City next weekend before finishing up with Alpena on Sunday. Both the North Stars and Nationals have a mathematical shot at catching first-place Mahoning Valley, which has a three-point lead on TC. The Phantoms host Alpena on Thursday and Friday.

The North Stars head to Marquette next weekend to face a Rangers team that is currently tied with Alpena for the fourth and final playoff berth in the NAHL North, and may well be in do-or-die mode for the series.

"We'll know a little more after Tuesday, and certainly by the end of the night on Friday, as to where we're going to end up," Palumbo said. "But no matter how it shakes out, we have to continue to play our game, to do the things that are going to translate into success in the playoffs."

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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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.

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