MARQUETTE -- Two days before the start of the Major League Baseball season, it was the Traverse City North Stars racking up Ks.
Kyle Bonis, Kory Kaunisto and Kyle Jean each scored two goals as the Traverse City North Stars closed out the year with a two-game sweep of Marquette on the Rangers' own ice to finish exactly at .500 and also win the Smith-Barney Challenge Cup. TC downed Marquette 7-5 Saturday night.
The Stars built a 6-1 lead after two periods and were outshooting the Rangers 31-11 before Marquette netted four goals in the third period, including a natural hat trick by former TC forward Aaron Pietila, who had four points on the night.
Kaunisto, Bonis and Jean scored first-period goals before Marquette got on the board late in the frame.
Alex Breeden struck 5:07 into the second and Kaunisto and Bonis added their second goals for a 6-1 bulge after two periods.
Jean added a power-play insurance goal with 32 seconds left in the game after Pietila scored three goals and Jake Hannon one to make the game interesting in the third.
Traverse City outshot Marquette 40-31 for the game and was 3-for-6 on the power play, while holding the Rangers to an 0-for-3 night with the advantage.
Chris Paliafito made 26 saves for the win.
The Challenge Cup was started this year as a season-long competition between the Stars and Rangers. TC won the trophy, 14 points to 12 after Marquette came into the weekend with a 12-10 lead.
The Stars (23-23-12) end the campaign two points out of the final playoff spot.
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