TRAVERSE CITY -- With Mahoning Valley idle, the Traverse City North Stars failed to gain on the division leaders, dropping a 5-0 home-ice setback to Marquette.
The loss keeps Traverse City (27-13-6) seven points behind the Phantoms for the North Division lead. TC has a seven-point lead on third-place Team USA.
Former North Stars forward Aaron Pietila started things off with a goal 4:38 into the game. His brother, Chad, made it 2-0 with a power-play tally at 6:03.
James Gallagher added an unassisted power-play goal 5:26 into the second period for a 3-0 Marquette bulge.
The Stars outshot the Rangers 23-14 through two periods, but weren't able to figure out Marquette netminder Kevin Kissaw.
Dustin Partacz added a pair of third-period goals, one on the power play and an empty-netter with 2:25 left in the game. Marquette (21-22-7) was 3-for-8 with the advantage, while TC was 0-for-3.
C.J. Motte made 15 saves for the Stars, losing for only the third time in his last 10 decisions.
The North Stars host fourth-place Alpena (22-18-5) tonight at 7:05 p.m. at Centre ICE in the first game of a home-and-home series today and Saturday. Traverse City has won five of nine meetings with the IceDiggers, who are led by former Alpena prep standout Erik Peterson and have lost three straight.
Print this story
E-mail this story
