Published: February 22, 2009 07:00 pm      

Stars sweep weekend series

Bonis scores his league-leading 6th game-winner

TRAVERSE CITY -- The Traverse City North Stars moved closer to two targets on Saturday night.

With a 2-1 victory over the Marquette Rangers, the Stars narrowed the gap between them and first-place Mahoning Valley and extended their lead over the Rangers for the Challenge Cup.

TC is seven points back of Mahoning with 13 games to go and two games in hand on the Phantoms. The Stars also lead the Challenge Cup series 14-9 over Marquette.

Kyle Bonis scored his NAHL-leading sixth game-winning goal at 3:18 of the second period.

Dan Radke, who also scored in TC's Friday win over the Rangers, lit the lamp late in the first period off Eric McLintock and Kyle Jean assists. Radke and Nate Urbaniak assisted Bonis' goal, his 23rd of the season and first in his last seven games.

C.J. Motte made 24 saves for Traverse City.

The Stars (27-12-6) and Rangers meet up again Thursday and then close out the season against each other March 27-28.