Published: March 17, 2008 09:35 am         

North Stars stumble again

BOARDMAN, Ohio -- It was a lost weekend for the Traverse City North Stars, who went 0-2-1 at Mahoning Valley and will have little room for error over their final four games if they are to make the NAHL playoffs.

The North Stars gave up four second-period goals in a 6-1 loss to the Phantoms on Sunday afternoon, less than 24 hours after allowing five goals in the second frame while losing 7-2 to Mahoning Valley.

The second-place Phantoms (33-17-4) also beat the Stars 4-3 in a shootout on Friday night.

Traverse City is now 21-21-12 and in in sixth place with 54 points. Team USA holds the fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division with a 26-24-4 (56) mark, one point ahead of Marquette (26-25-3, 55).

Both USA and Marquette were idle on Sunday.

Kyle Bonis scored the Stars' lone goal Sunday. Kory Kaunisto and Nathan Urbaniak assisted.

Urbaniak scored both Traverse City goals on Saturday night.

The Stars return home Friday for the first of two games against division-leading St. Louis.