Published: September 17, 2008 08:00 pm      

North Stars win NAHL season opener

Bonis wins it with late goal

BLAINE, Minn. -- With a flair for the dramatic, the Traverse City North Stars opened the North American Hockey League season with a 3-2 victory over two-time defending champion St. Louis on Wednesday.

Kyle Bonis scored with 1:18 left to play to lift the Stars to the win at the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, Minn.

Traverse City never trailed in the contest, but needed the late goal from Bonis for the victory. Nathan Urbaniak assisted on the game-winning tally by Bonis, who scored a team-record 25 goals in 39 contests last season.

The Stars had the lone first-period goal when Garrett Thompson scored 14 minutes into the game on assists from. Eric O'Hearn and Marc Thompson.

TC made it 2-0 in the second period on a goal by Chris Salomone, assisted by Mike Schenfeld and Eric McLintock.

St. Louis rallied to tie it before Bonis delieverd late.