Traverse City wins, 4-2, to even series

Mahoning Valley spent most of the third period trailing by two goals and killing penalties.

STAFF REPORT

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Trailing 3-2 heading into the third period on the road, the Mahoning Valley Phantoms needed discipline to keep Traverse City in range.

But North Stars captain Kyle Bonis’ goal seven seconds into the final period of Friday’s North American Hockey League North Division playoff game triggered an avalanche of third-period woes for the Phantoms.

Hoping to close out their best-of-5 series, the Phantoms instead collapsed, taking eight penalties in the final 18 minutes to fall 4-2 at the Centre Ice Arena.

The Phantoms’ loss ties the series at 2-2 and sets up Sunday’s Game 5 at 7 p.m. at the Ice Zone in Boardman. Tickets cost $5.

Sunday’s winner will advance to play the winner of the U.S. National Team/Alpena Ice Diggers series. Team USA has a 2-1 series lead heading into tonight’s game.

The Phantoms managed just 16 shots on North Stars goaltender C.J. Motte.

The North Stars fired the puck 28 times at Garrett Bartus, who shut them out 3-0 in Thursday’s Game 3.

Five minutes into the game, the North Stars snapped their scoreless streak against Bartus when Eric McLintock scored on an assist from Kyle Jean.

The lead was short-lived as Nick Kenney burst into the North Stars’ zone and beat Motte for a 1-1 tie. Carl Nielsen assisted.

For the second time in three games, the North Stars’ Jarrod LaBelle scored an unassisted shorthanded goal. With Phil Wendecker in the penalty box for hooking, LaBelle stole the puck and beat Bartus for a 2-1 lead.

As Wendecker’s penalty was expiring, Chris Heineman was penalized for high sticking, giving the Phantoms another power play. This time, they capitalized as Cole Schneider hit Stefan Salituro with a pass near the net and Salituro scored for a 2-2 tie. Robert Harrison also assisted.

After being assessed five straight penalties in the second period, the North Stars exercised their power-play unit with two chances.

With Cullen Lundholm in the box for roughing, Jean connected for the go-ahead goal on an assist from Travis White.

The Phantoms’ Brandon Saad, the NAHL’s Rookie of the Year, sat out his fourth straight playoff game with a shoulder injury.

The Phantoms opened the series on April 3 with a 5-4 victory over the North Stars at the Chevrolet Centre.

Defenseman David Chaney led the Phantoms’ attack with a goal and three assists. Also scoring goals were Jordy Trottier, Kenney, Lundholm and Erik Higby.

Bonis led the North Stars with two goals. McLintock and Mike Schenfeld had the others.

In Game 2 Sunday, the North Stars’ Nathan Urbaniak scored in overtime for a 4-3 win to even the series.