T-Birds fall to Northern Michigan

The Soo Thunderbirds dropped a close decision to the Northern Michigan Black Bears in their return to Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action.

After a two week break from action, the Thunderbirds fell 3-2 to the Black Bears on Wednesday night in St. Ignace.

The loss drops the Thunderbirds record to 18-14-2-2 and leaves the team nine points behind Northern Michigan for first place in the western division although the Soo holds two games in hand. Blind River sits in second spot two points behind the leaders.

On Wednesday, the teams battled through a defensive struggle before ending the game with a flurry of three goals in the final 4:29 of regulation time.

John Nogatch scored a first period before Joel Rechlicz scored 2:40 into the third to give the Black Bears a 2-0 lead.

In the game's final moments, Chris Towell scored to pull the Thunderbirds back into the game before Steve Kruszewski scored the game winner with 1:27 remaining. Matt Caria added another Soo goal with 22 seconds remaining.

Michael Maulucci stopped 26 shots in goal for the T-Birds while counterpart Tony Stoehr also stopped 26 shots.

The game opened an important four-game road trip for the T-Birds as they continue their swing on Friday in North Bay, on Saturday in Iroquois Falls against Abitibi and Sunday at Rayside Balfour.

Next home action for the T-Birds is Friday, Feb. 18 against Abitibi at 7:30 p.m. at the John Rhodes Community Centre.