A hat trick by Eric Rivard was the highlight in North Stars' 9-0 win against the Chicago Hitmen.

Rivard notched his first tally 5:20 into the first period. He then added goals at 7:15 into the first and at 2:06 into the third.

The Traverse City North Stars scored early and often, and held a 4-0 advantage after the first 20 minutes of play.

The referees were busy during the game, as 17 penalties were assessed during the course of the contest.

Traverse City was often in penalty trouble, totaling six minors and one major for 37 minutes in penalty time. The North Stars had been averaging 16 minutes in penalties per game. Traverse City put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Chicago to score on any of its four power plays. The North Stars' defensive play was more effective than usual against the Hitmen. Traverse City gives up two goals on average per game. The North Stars bested their season scoring average. Traverse City has scored at the pace of three goals per game during the current campaign. The North Stars relied on a core group of players for most of their offense, as Rivard, Jared Van Wormer and JD Cotroneo took 17 of the team's 33 shots.

Traverse City additionally got points from Mitchell Snider, who also registered one goal and three assists, Van Wormer, who also had one goal and one assist, Chris Waterstreet, who also tallied one goal and one assist, Sean Murphy, who also had one goal and two assists, and Nathan Harris, who also registered one goal and one assist. Michal Toman also scored for Traverse City. Other players who recorded assists for Traverse City were Kyle Schempp, who had three and Will Badner, Chris Leibinger, and Robert Wiener, who each chipped in one.

Chicago forced its penalty killing units to work especially hard during the game, picking up nine minors and one major for 33 minutes in penalty time. The total exceeded the 19 minutes per game the Hitmen had been spending in the box. Chicago did not reach the goal total it has come to expect this season. The Hitmen average two goals per game.

Chicago was led by Matt Cessna, who took four shots.

Zach Nagelvoort made 21 saves for Traverse City on 21 shots. The North Stars registered one goal on seven power play opportunities. The Hitmen took out Nick Kohn after he had made 23 saves and installed Ryan Coyne in goal, where he finished with one save and the loss.