TC duo lifts North Stars, 4-2
September 20, 2007 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release
BLAINE, Minn. - Marathons aren't won in the first 100 yards, but there's nothing wrong with coming out of the starting blocks strong.
That about sums up the mindset of Traverse City North Stars head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo after his club scored a 4-2 victory over Bismarck on Wednesday in the Stars' season opener at the North American Hockey League Showcase in suburban Minneapolis.
"I'm happy, of course," said Palumbo - who, along with associate head coach Mike Matteucci and assistant coach Chad Fournier - was making his debut behind the Traverse City bench on Wednesday. "I'm more happy for the kids. They worked hard for this and beat a good team tonight. They can enjoy it for about 15 minutes before we have to start getting ready for North Iowa."
The North Stars (1-0-0) and Outlaws (0-0-1 after a shootout loss to Marquette on Wednesday) will face off on Thursday at 1:15 p.m. CT/ 2:15 p.m. ET at the Schwan's Super Rink in Blaine.
On Wednesday, a pair of Traverse City products provided the game- winning and insurance markers, with Eric O'Hearn (TC Central HS) breaking a 2-2 with 3:21 to go in the second period - assisted by fellow local Sean Burke (TC West HS) - and Eric McLintock (TC Central HS) logging the coffin nail at 7:54 of the third stanza.
TC jumped out to a 2-0 first period bulge on lamplighters from the sticks of Nate Urbaniak and Ben Dykstra. Tyler Stephens and Jonathan Sheridan set up Urbaniak's power play goal, while Harrison Niemann assisted on Dykstra's even-up Geno.
The Bobcats clawed back to open the second period, halving their deficit with a power play goal at 6:10 and knotting the affair about seven minutes later, setting up the Erics' heroics.
"I like how we responded after Bismarck got back into the game," Palumbo said. "That tells me that these guys can be resilient when the circumstances dictate."
Miles Williams - who began the season with Traverse City in 2006-07 before an interim respite with Abitibi of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, annulled 23 of the 25 shots he was offered on Wednesday. Jake Kremer made 23 saves in 27 tries for Bismarck, and made several impressive glove saves on Stars scoring chances.
"It's just one game, just one win," Palumbo said. "I'm happy about it, but I guess I want more of 'em."
North American Hockey League Stories from September 20, 2007
- Jets Beat Kenai in First Meeting - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- U.S. National U-18 Team Falls to Fairbanks, 3-2 - U.S. National Team
- Outlaws outlast TC - Traverse City North Stars
- Outlaws Morin and Moss Special in OT Win - North Iowa Outlaws
- TC duo lifts North Stars, 4-2 - Traverse City North Stars
- U.S. National U-18 Team Tops Texas, 3-1 - U.S. National Team
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.
Other Recent Traverse City North Stars Stories
- Stars Fall in Game 2, 7-3
- Wings Claim Playoff Opener, 4-0
- Blond Ambition: Bleaches Stars Open Playoffs Today
- Bad(ner) to the Bone: Winger Scores Four in 6-1 Win
- North Stars Whitewash Jamestown, 3-0
