NAHL North American Hockey League

Traverse City completes sweep

Published on December 5, 2006 under North American Hockey League (NAHL) News Release


Finally settling in after a slew of roster moves to start the season, the Traverse City North Stars put together their first two-game sweep of the year last weekend with a pair of wins over Marquette.

"This was a very positive step for our team," said North Stars coach Scott Gardiner, whose team improved to 10-13-4. "After making so many changes, I think we're just starting to gel. We can play much better, too, which is exciting."

The North Stars opened with a 6-5 win over the Rangers on Friday, overcoming a two-goal, first-period deficit. Six different players scored for Traverse City, with Patrick Nagorsen tallying the game-winner. Nick Von Bokern scored a goal and two assists, while Aaron Pietila chipped in three assists. Between the pipes, goaltender Stefan Shively made 26 saves.

The next night, Eriks Ozollapa rang up two goals, including the game-winner, as the North Stars skated away with a 3-2 victory. Mike Glaesmer scored the other North Star goal, and goaltender Kyle Jendra made 23 saves.

"We simply found ways to win this weekend," said Gardiner.

A completely revamped defensive core, which includes the additions of Von Bokern, Ben Plocar, Alex Breeden and Kent Detlefsen, has given Gardiner more confidence in his team's capabilities.

"I like what I've seen so far," said the coach. "We've added size, strength and skill and each of these guys brings a different aspect to our team."

Ozollapa, who was acquired earlier in the season from Southern Minnesota, also impressed, scoring three timely goals against Marquette. They were the Latvian's first three of the season in six games with Traverse City.

"He's been working his tail off and I couldn't be happier for him," said Gardiner. "He's the hardest-working player in practice and it's great to see his hard work pay off."

Nagorsen, a Western Michigan recruit, continued his solid play, chipping in a goal and two assists in addition to putting forth a solid, all-around effort. Matt Hughes recorded just one assist on the weekend, but also garnered deserved recognition.

"He does it all," Gardiner said of Hughes. "He kills penalties, plays the point on the power play and he blocked some key shots to help hold off the Rangers."

Moving forward, Gardiner views his team's success last weekend as a steppingstone towards bigger and better things.

"We need to build on this and continue to strive to play more consistent hockey every shift, every period, every game," said the coach. "It's a long season and I continually stress that it's not the best team in November or February that wins championships, it's the best team in April."

STANDINGS/LEADERS
North Division
TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA
Mahoning Valley 28 20-7-1 41 .732 121 83
Alpena 26 19-6-1 39 .750 100 74
Traverse City 27 10-13-4 24 .444 83 100
Marquette 28 9-17-2 20 .357 79 105
USNTDP 24 9-14-1 19 .396 87 93

South Division
TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA
St. Louis 26 21-4-1 43 .827 100 56
Santa Fe 24 17-4-3 37 .771 93 50
Texas 25 14-8-3 31 .620 84 76
Fairbanks 29 13-15-1 27 .466 101 104
Wichita Falls 25 11-12-2 24 .480 74 84
Alaska 28 10-15-3 23 .411 70 96

Central Division
TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA
Fargo-Moorhead 24 17-6-1 35 .729 85 62
Bismarck 29 11-12-6 28 .483 88 108
So. Minnesota 26 13-12-1 27 .519 80 70
Springfield 27 12-12-3 27 .500 82 88
North Iowa 27 12-15-0 24 .444 76 98
Alexandria 25 8-17-0 16 .320 59 92

LEADING SCORERS
PLAYER TEAM P GP G A PTS
Rudasill, Todd ALP F 26 16 29 45
Schmidt, Kyle FBX F 29 25 16 41
Craner, Nolan ALP F 25 16 22 38
Maroon, Pat STL F 23 14 21 35
Shean, Joe FBX F 29 12 22 34
Echternach, Jesse FMH F 24 14 19 33
Kretzer, Ryan SPR F 27 8 24 32
Kutalek, Tibor SFE F 23 19 12 31
Pierson, Drew ALP F 26 12 19 31
(two players tied with 29)

LEADING GOALTENDERS
PLAYER TEAM GPI MINS W-L-OTL GAA SPCT
Hopper, Nick SFE 21 1221:25 15-4-2 1.92 .911
Lee, Austin FMH 15 902:20 12-2-1 1.93 .942
Nagle, Pat STL 14 824:31 11-2-1 1.96 .931
Reiter, Kenny STL 13 713:09 9-2-1 2.36 .917
Zapolski, Ryan MVY 25 1437:02 19-5-1 2.55 .922

GOALS
PLAYER TEAM P GP G
Schmidt, Kyle FBX F 29 25
Kutalek, Tibor SFE F 23 19
(two players tied with 16)

ASSISTS
PLAYER TEAM P GP A
Rudasill, Todd ALP F 26 29
Kretzer, Ryan SPR F 27 24
(two players tied with 22)

PENALTY MINUTES
PLAYER TEAM P GP PIM
Belanger, Neeco MAR F 28 126
Yovanic, Paul TXS F 21 124
Flink, Adam TXS F 20 117

Ozollapa, Omilusik, Gazdik named Sherwood Players of the Week

NORTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Traverse City forward Eriks Ozollapa scored three goals last weekend as the North Stars completed their first weekend sweep of the season with two wins over Marquette. On Friday, the 19-year-old rang up a goal in Traverse City's 6-5 win. The next night, the Riga, Latvia, native scored two goals, including the game-winner, in the North Stars' 3-2 triumph.

SOUTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Santa Fe forward Cody Omilusik struck for four goals and an assist in two wins over Wichita Falls last weekend. On Friday, the Traverse City, Mich., native posted a goal and an assist in the RoadRunners' 6-2 victory. The next night, the 20-year-old recorded a hat trick as Santa Fe silenced Wichita Falls, 8-1.

CENTRAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Southern Minnesota forward Libor Gazdik scored a goal and three assists last weekend as the Express skated to two wins over NAHL-leading St. Louis. On Friday, the 18-year-old notched the game-winning goal in Southern Minnesota's 3-2 triumph. The next night, the Concord, Calif., native recorded three assists as the Express blanked the Bandits, 6-0.

OTHER NOMINEES: Alexandria forward Steve Sperry and goaltender Ryan Leets; Alpena forwards Kenny Brandt and Todd Rudasill and goaltender Shawn Hunwick; Bismarck forward Jeremy Robert and goaltender Clark Oliver; Santa Fe goaltender Bryce Merriam; Southern Minnesota goaltender Lars Paulgaard; Texas forward Ryan Fuller and defenseman Brian Reagan; Wichita Falls forward Michal Hrtus

LAST WEEK'S SCORES/HIGHLIGHTS
Friday, December 1
Bismarck 3 @ Alexandria 0 (BIS: Oliver, 29 saves)
Texas 2 @ Fairbanks 4 (FBX: Bidwill, G, GWG)
Southern Minnesota 3 @ St. Louis 2 (SM: Gazdik, GWG)
Wichita Falls 2 @ Santa Fe 6 (SF: Kamrass, 3G)
USNTDP 3 @ Mahoning Valley 8 (MV: Cloutier, 2G, GWG)
Marquette 5 @ Traverse City 6 (TC: Pietila, 3A)

Saturday, December 2
Texas 7 @ Fairbanks 3 (TEX: Fuller, 4G, A)
So. Minnesota 6 @ St. Louis 0 (SM: Paulgaard, 43 saves)
Alexandria 5 @ Bismarck 4 (OT) (ALX: Sperry, 2G, A)
Wichita Falls 1 @ Santa Fe 8 (SF: Kutalek, 2G, GWG, 2A)
USNTDP 1 @ Mahoning Valley 4 (MV: Cloutier, GWG, A)
Marquette 2 @ Traverse City 3 (TC: Ozollapa, G, GWG)
Springfield 3 @ North Iowa 4 (SO) (NI: Harcharik, G, SOG, A)

Sunday, December 3
Alaska 3 @ Fairbanks 5 (FBX: Schmidt, 2G, GWG)
Alpena 6 @ Marquette 0 (ALP: Hunwick, 26 saves)
Springfield 3 @ North Iowa 1 (SPR: Zobak, G, A)

AROUND THE NAHL

AVS' MCCABE TO UAA: Alaska forward Brad McCabe, 18, has committed to the University of Alaska-Anchorage (WCHA) for the 2007-08 season. The Gearhart, Ore., native, who is on NHL Central Scouting's "Player to Watch" list for 2007 draft-eligibles, has 11 goals for 16 points after 16 games.

LARSON, MILLEN OUT IN ALASKA: The Avalanche announced that head coach Dean Larson and assistant coach Corey Millen have resigned. Keith Morris, who was named the team's general manager last month, will assume the primary coaching duties until a permanent replacement is named.

STANDING 'GAARD: Southern Minnesota goaltender Lars Paulgaard, 19, continued his dominance between the pipes last weekend in two wins over league-leading St. Louis. The Oslo, Norway, native stopped 80 of 82 shots, including a perfect 43-save performance in the Express' 6-0 whitewash on Saturday.

CLOUTIER, PHANTOMS KEEP ROLLING: Mahoning Valley forward Dustin Cloutier, 20, rang up four goals and assist last weekend, including a hat trick in Friday's 8-3 victory, as the Phantoms skated to two wins over the U.S. Under-17 Team. Mahoning Valley has now won 14 games in a row.

FULLER BACK IN FORM: Texas forward Ryan Fuller, 19, who missed three weeks in November due to injury, scored five goals and two assists, including a four-goal, one-assist effort in the Tornado's 7-3 triumph on Saturday, as Texas spilt in Fairbanks over the weekend. "Ryan has responded well since his return," said Tornado coach Tony Curtale.

HATS OFF: Three RoadRunners recorded hat tricks as Santa Fe outscored Wichita Falls 14-3, in two wins last weekend: Tibor Kutalek, Cody Omilusik and Josh Kamrass.

WELCOME ABOARD: The acquisition of forward Kenny Brandt paid immediate dividends for Alpena last weekend, as the 20-year-old potted two goals and two assists in his IceDiggers debut. "Kenny played a great game," said 'Diggers coach Kenny Miller. "To step in and play in place of Nolan (Craner) and not look a bit out of place was nice to see. He'll fit in real nice with the group of forwards we have here now."

THE WEEK AHEAD

Tuesday, December 5
Texas @ Alaska, 7:30 pm

Wednesday, December 6
Texas @ Alaska, 7:30 pm

Thursday, December 7
Santa Fe @ Wichita Falls, 7:05 pm
Alpena @ USNTDP, 7:00 pm

Friday, December 8
Southern @ Minnesota Fargo-Moorhead, 7:35 pm
Bismarck @ Alexandria, 7:30 pm
Santa Fe @ Wichita Falls, 7:05 pm
Alpena @ Mahoning Valley, 7:00 pm

Saturday, December 9
Texas @ Alaska, 7:30 pm
North Iowa @ Southern Minnesota, 7:05 pm
Santa Fe @ Wichita Falls, 7:05 pm
Fargo-Moorhead @ Alexandria, 7:00 pm
Alpena @ Mahoning Valley, 7:00 pm
St. Louis @ Springfield, 7:00 pm
Traverse City @ USNTDP, 7:00 pm

Sunday, December 10
Fargo-Moorhead @ Southern Minnesota, 5:05 pm
Traverse City @ USNTDP, 3:00 pm
(all times local)

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North American Hockey League Stories from December 5, 2006


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