Szmatula's OT winner salvages Stars' weekend

Published on April 3, 2011 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


TRAVERSE CITY - Saturday's playoff showdown between the Traverse City North Stars and Michigan Warriors had a little bit of everything: Four ties, as many lead changes, stellar power play execution, an impassioned locker room speech, and a jubilant exodus for the Centre ICE Arena contingent following Michael Szmatula's overtime game-winner just 47 seconds into the extra session.

By virtue of their 5-4 victory, the Stars and Warriors head to Flint for Games 3 and 4 of the NAHL North Division semifinal playoff series on even footing, tied at one game each.

"We worked hard, we competed, and we ended up having some success," said Traverse City head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo. "It isn't a complicated formula, but the results were pretty exciting. To come back from down 2-0 and get back into it, then to battle back from 3-2, and again when they (Michigan) tied it late in regulation - I think that says a lot about what this team is capable of."

Ryan Trenz and Brandon Boelter registered power play goals for Michigan, and it was late in the second period before the hosts could mount a response. Tim Opie (Troy, MI/TC North Stars) got Traverse City on the board with a man-advantage marker of his own 5:18 before the second intermission. Eric Rivard (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars) delivered an equalizer 5:33 into the third, and a seesaw sequence ensued. Andrew Kolb pushed the Warriors ahead again three minutes later, but Rivard and James Albrecht (Geneva, IL/Chicago NAHL) lit the lamp 54 seconds apart near the halfway point of the period and Traverse City enjoyed its first lead with 9:03 remaining in regulation.

Michigan once again showed its mettle down the stretch, as Justin Hoomaian forged another tie with 5:16 on the clock, setting up a frenetic finish. The Warriors were whistled for a hooking penalty in the final minute of regulation, and Szmatula (Commerce Twp., MI/Lansing Capitals U18) converted the carryover power play into a game-bagger in the first minute of OT.

The North Stars, who faltered late in the third period during a 3-1 loss in Friday's series opener at Centre ICE, got a little extra encouragement from injured defenseman Connor Schmidt (Flat Rock, MI/Little Caesars U18/Ferris State) during the second intermission.

"I didn't say much in there (locker room)," Palumbo explained. "Connor came in and had some words for 'em, and it seemed to fire up the boys a bit."

Schmidt, who is out for the rest of the season with a broken arm he suffered Mar. 20 at Motor City, said his impromptu Rockne was borne of emotion but not necessarily eloquence.

"I just started yelling, reminding them that we had 20 minutes to turn this series around, and to make sure to leave it all out there - that sort of thing," he explained. "I love these guys, and wish I could be out there with ‘em."

Steve Bolton (Las Vegas, NV/Amarillo NAHL) was busy on Saturday as well, snuffing 34 shots, including 15 in the second period alone. Kelin Ainsworth (Thunder Bay, ONT/TC North Stars/Lake Superior St.) set up all three of the Stars' third period goals for his first career postseason playmaker (three assists), while Travis White (Sterling Heights, MI/TC North Stars/Ferris State) assisted on TC's first and last scores of the evening. Opie, Albrecht, Alec Shields (Pittsburgh, PA/TC North Stars/Mercyhurst College), and Curtis Heinz (Grand Rapids, MI/TC North Stars) drew an assist apiece.

"It was a big game and we had to win," Palumbo added. "We got pucks to the net, played with intensity, and responded well to that playoff adversity late in the game. We've had some success here and there down in their (Michigan's) building, but we'll have to maintain the energy we showed tonight."

The Stars and Warriors will face off again at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Perani Arena, and 7 p.m. on Saturday. If a fifth and decisive contest is required, it'll be back in Traverse City on Monday, April 11 at Centre ICE.

NAHL NORTH DIVISION SEMIFINALS

Traverse City vs. Michigan (Best-of-Five)

Game 1: Michigan 3, Traverse City 1

Game 2: Traverse City 5, Michigan 4 OT (series tied, 1-1)

Game 3: Friday, April 8 - at Flint, 7:30 p.m.

Game 4: Saturday, April 9 - at Flint, 7 p.m.

Game 5*: Monday, April 11 at Traverse City, 7 p.m.

*if necessary

TICKETS: Online at traversecitynorthstars.com

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