TRAVERSE CITY -- Kyle Bonis scored two goals -- including the game-winner -- as the Traverse City North Stars downed Marquette 3-1 Friday at Centre ICE Arena.
The win kept Traverse City within two points of North Division leader Mahoning Valley and knots up the Challenge Cup standings with Marquette at 8-8.
Bonis scored the first two goals of the game, and his efforts would hold up thanks to netminder C.J. Motte, who made several saves after the Rangers (18-18-5) pulled their goalie with 1:20 remaining.
Bonis put the Stars (21-9-5) up four minutes into the second period off Mike Schenfeld and Garrett Thompson assists as he pounced on a rebound, then came out of the corner and deked goalie Kevin Kissaw midway through the period for a 2-0 lead. Thompson assisted on both of Bonis' goals.
"After a slow start, we really played well," North Stars coach Anthony Palumbo said. "As the game went on, we played stronger and stronger and had a very good forecheck on."
Marquette's James Gallagher made it 2-1 with a goal 1:19 after Bonis' second lamp lighter.
The game was scoreless in the third until Sean Burke potted an empty-netter with one second left off Travis White and Eric O'Hearn assists.
Motte made 23 saves for the win to bring his record to 11-4-2 with 2.52 goals-against average.
The game was fairly penalty-free, with both teams accounting for only four whistles through two periods. TC's Bo Jacobs would get in a fight with former North Star Aaron Pietila with 4:26 left in the third to bring the game total to just six penalties.
Motte, Bonis and Thompson were chosen as the game's three stars.
Both teams were 0-for-2 on the power play. The two squads meet again today for a 7:05 p.m. rematch at Centre ICE.
Traverse City hosts Motor City next weekend before heading on the road for much of the rest of the season, playing just four home games in February and March.
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