Black Bears inflict another wound on Thunderbirds (12 photos)

The Northern Michigan Black Bears look to be in championship form after another impressive victory over the Soo Thunderbirds.

Dominating the majority of play, the Black Bears scored a 4-2 victory over the Thunderbirds on Friday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League western division final.

Game three will go on Saturday in St. Ignace beginning at 7:30 p.m. while game four is scheduled for Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Rhodes.

Thunderbirds goaltender Michael Maulucci kept the game scoreless after one period with several huge saves from point blank range as the speed and aggressive forechecking of the Black Bears kept the locals scrambling.

Northern Michigan took control in the second period as Mike Herbert beat Maulucci with a high shot from the slot before Jim Clegarek added another on the power play just 2:18 later.

Kyle Jacobson scored the game winner with 28 seconds remaining in the period just as the Thunderbirds returned to full strength after the team's coaching staff received a bench minor for arguing a non-call.

Herbert then struck again for the Black Bears 28 seconds into the final period for a 4-0 lead.

The Thunderbirds picked up their play for a stretch but goals by Justin Shelleby on the power play at 3:05 and Matt Caria, who assisted on Shelleby's goal, at 8:13 was all the Thunderbirds could muster as penalty problems stalled their come back attempt.

The Black Bears peppered Maulucci with 47 shots while Northern Michigan counterpart Tony Stoehr saw 27 Thunderbird shots.

Shelleby's goal on a shot through traffic ended a lengthy shutout streak for Stoehr, who entered the game with back-to-back shutouts. The goal was the Thunderbirds first in the series and the first marker Stoehr has allowed in 150 minutes and five seconds of action.

"We use aggressive forechecking and defense to get it done," said Black Bears head coach and Sault product Gerry Lortie. "Herbert is our heart and soul and our captain and he played well for us. But I know they are not done yet."

Mike Caprio recorded a pair of assists for Black Bears.

(All photos courtesy of Jim Egan.)