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TC falls to Motor City

December 18, 2010 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


TRAVERSE CITY - With a miniscule margin for error in the talent-rich, eight-team NAHL North Division, a series of costly miscues can spell certain disaster. Such was the case on Friday night at Centre ICE Arena, as the Traverse City North Stars played well in protracted stretches, but ultimately fell prey to the Motor City Metal Jackets' high-octane offense and opportunistic proclivities in a 7-4 setback.

The Stars scored the game's first goal when Michael Szmatula (Commerce Twp., MI/Lansing Capitals U18) converted a powerplay 5:16 into the contest. The Jackets responded with four consecutive markers, including a pair in the final 1:48 of the first period. Traverse City got back into the game by potting back-to-back powerplay tallies from Alex Wiese (White Lake, MI/Sioux Falls USHL) and Sean Murphy (Cary, NC/Austin NAHL) in the second stanza, but Motor City closed the period with a shorthanded, unassisted goal on a giveaway behind the net to take a 5-3 lead into intermission.

Connor Schmidt (Flat Rock, MI/Little Caesars U18) opened the final frame with an unassisted score of his own, but the Metal Jackets answered once again less than three minutes later, and closed out the scoring with 7:15 to play on the league-leading 26th goal of the season for Cody Wydo.

"In this league, in this division, against a good team - you need to get the best from your best players," said TC head coach/GM Anthony Palumbo. "We didn't get that consistently tonight. We played a pretty solid game in terms of territory, but had some pretty huge mistakes that did cost us. I also thought their goalie was very good tonight, too."

Traverse City outshot their Motown counterparts by a 36-28 margin, and went 3-for-9 on the power play. The contest turned contentious in the second period, with 74 of the 90 combined penalty minutes being assessed during that session. Alec Shields (Pittsburgh, PA/TC North Stars) led the assist parade with a pair for the hosts, while Travis White (Sterling Heights, MI/TC North Stars), Tim Opie (Troy, MI/TC North Stars), and Kelin Ainsworth (Thunder Bay, ONT/TC North Stars/Lake Superior St.) had one apiece. Tyler Marble (Howell, MI/TC North Stars/Lake Superior St.) and Zach Cisek (Canton, MI/New Mexico NAHL) combined for 21 saves in net for the hosts.

The Stars (16-11-1) and Motor City meet up again on Saturday in the series finale; It also marks the second annual Holiday Bear Toss for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Father Fred Foundation. Fans who bring a new, unwrapped teddy bear will get $2 off their adult ticket, throw the bear onto the ice at the appointed time during the game, and the bears will be distributed through the two charitable organizations. There is also a post-game skate with the team following Saturday's contest.



North American Hockey League Stories from December 18, 2010


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