Stars aim to swipe pair from Bandits

BY JAMES COOK
jcook@record-eagle.com

March 22, 2008 04:00 am

—

TRAVERSE CITY -- Four big games, eight big points.

With a quartet of contests remaining, Traverse City is fighting for its playoff life.

Not making the job any easier is the North American Hockey League's best team -- the St. Louis Bandits -- is coming to Centre ICE for a two-game set today and Saturday.

"They're a powerhouse team," TC forward Garrett Thompson said. "For us to come through, we've got to play our best hockey."

The North Stars currently sit in sixth place in the competitive North Division with 54 points, but are only two points out of fourth place and the final playoff spot.

Team USA has 56 points and Marquette is sandwiched in between with 55.

All three of those teams fighting for the last playoff berth have four games left.

"We've got to win these ones before we can even think about the playoffs," Stars forward Eric O'Hearn said.

The Rangers play a two-game set on Team USA's ice this weekend and faces off with TC the following weekend for two contests in Marquette. USA travels to second-place Mahoning Valley for its final two contests.

At this point, none are bigger than the ones immediately available.

"We looking at it as we need four points," TC defenseman Tyler Stephens said. "We're down to the point where every game is make or break."

The Bandits feature two players who have committed to play for Michigan State -- forward Mike Merrifield and center Ben Warda.

Merrifield leads all first-year NAHL players in scoring with 18 goals for 56 points after 55 games.

Warda is fourth in the NAHL with 71 points in 55 contests, and is second in short-handed goals (four) and sixth in game-winning goals (six).

St. Louis has seven players who have signed with Division 1 programs.

"We've got our hands full this weekend," North Stars coach Anthony Palumbo said. "I've been comparing St. Louis to the Detroit Red Wings -- a run-away points leader."

The Bandits have already clinched the league's best record, and also have an automatic berth in the Robertson Cup finals -- by virtue of hosting the event -- regardless of how they do in the first two playoff rounds.

"They're gearing up for a month of hockey," Palumbo said, "and we're playing to play another day."

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.