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Warriors Knock off Stars

December 9, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Traverse City North Stars News Release


TRAVERSE CITY - The Michigan Warriors scored four goals in the final 24 minutes, including an empty-netter in the final half-minute, to claim a 4-1 victory over the Traverse City North Stars on Friday evening at Centre ICE Arena.

The Stars opened the game with a highlight-reel, tape-to-tape pass from Mitchell Snider (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars NAHL) to Eric Rivard (Traverse City, MI/TC North Stars NAHL), who slammed it home at the far post just 5:34 into the affair. It would be the host's final scoreboard sortie of the evening, despite a multitude of quality scoring chances.

"They (Michigan) played hard, got great goaltending, and deserved to win this game," Stars head coach Chad Fournier said. "We dominated in stretches, but kind of faltered down the stretch. It wasn't nearly the kind of effort that is required to win games in this league."

The Warriors, who had dropped 14 of their previous 15 contests, knotted the game just 1:24 into the second period, and held off a series of offensive flurries before striking again 3:11 before the intermission.

The North Stars spent much of the final six minutes of the game on the penalty kill, and the visitors took advantage, scoring the insurance marker with 1:50 left in regulation, and the empty-netter to close out a three-goal triumph.

"That was a disappointing way to finish the game, to say the least," Fournier lamented. "There were some pretty ... regrettable decisions that resulted in some power play opportunities for Michigan, and they capitalized on it."

The North Stars fell to 13-6-4, and are now 10 points behind first-place Port Huron, with eight games in-hand on the Falcons. Michigan improved to 12-14-3.

Zach Nagelvoort (Holland, MI/Kalamazoo NAHL) got the start in net for Traverse City, making 19 saves in 22 chances, while Seth Adams (Big Rapids, MI/Big Rapids HS/Ferris State) drew an assist on Rivard's goal.

The Stars will hit the road for a Sunday matinee at Kalamazoo, and travel to Flint to face the Warriors again next Saturday. The club will return to Centre ICE on Jan. 17 for a rematch with Kalamazoo.



North American Hockey League Stories from December 9, 2011


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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