TRAVERSE CITY -- Doing the splits is exactly what Traverse City wanted.
Now it hopes to avoid them.
The North Stars won one of two games at Mahoning Valley last weekend to bring the best-of-five playoff series back to Traverse City knotted up 1-1 with a chance to clinch at home.
"It puts some pressure on us," Mahoning Valley assistant coach Curtis Carr said. "We have to get a win up here in Traverse City ... and winning games up here isn't easy."
Game 3 is tonight at 7:05 p.m. at Centre ICE, with Game 4 on Friday.
The Stars learned Wednesday that winger Kyle Jean -- along with Phantoms forward Brandon Saad -- is among the eight finalists for the Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year Award, which is presented annually by USA Hockey to the outstanding player in junior hockey.
"You always look for a split on the road and a sweep here, so we did the first part and have to finish it," said TC defenseman Tyler Stephens. "We've been shooting to puck and crashing the net hard. That's been a key for us since that 9-2 loss to them."
Mahoning beat the Stars 9-2 on March 13, and Traverse City is 7-1-1 since.
The Stars don't expect the Phantoms -- a finalist in last year's Robertson Cup -- to go without a fight.
"Everybody picks up their game a little bit in the playoffs, because it's so important, especially for the guys that are 21 or 22 and want to keep going," said Stars goaltender C.J. Motte.
"We've got an opportunity to control the series, but we don't want to look ahead," Stars coach Anthony Palumbo said. "We have to concentrate on Thursday."
A big part of Sunday's key 4-3 overtime victory was an improved effort on special teams.
"We didn't give up as many chances on their power play," Palumbo said. "Ultimately, we scored a couple of timely goals."
The Stars' power play, meanwhile, has been "ineffective," according to Palumbo.
Traverse City has just one goal in 16 power plays, while Mahoning Valley is 5-for-17.
NAHL"ˆplayoffs
Divisional semifinals (Best-of-5)
TC VS. MAHONING VALLEY
Gm 1: Mahoning 5, TC 4
Gm 2: TC 4, Mahoning 3, OT
Gm 3: Today @ Traverse City, 7
Gm 4: Fri. @ Traverse City, 7
Gm 5: Sun. @ Mahoning, 7*
Series tied 1-1; * = if necessary
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