Black Bears close to hibernation

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI –- The Northern Michigan Black Bears could find themselves heading into an early hibernation for the summer if things don't improve by Monday.

The Black Bears dropped a 4-3 decision in overtime on Saturday at the Big Bear Arena to the Sudbury Junior Wolves. The loss leaves the Black Bears one loss away from being eliminated from the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League playoffs as the Wolves hold a 3-1 advantage in the best-of-seven semi-final series.

A Jordan Cheechoo goal at 1:29 of overtime capped off a strong comeback for the Wolves, who entered the third period trailing by a 3-1 scored. Cheechoo redirected a centring attempt past Black Bears goaltender Tony Stoehr for the winner.

After seeing Sudbury have two goals waved off, one after the puck was knocked into the net with a high stick and the other after the Northern Michigan net was knocked off its pegs before the puck entered the net, the Black Bears opened the scoring.

Michael Herbert and Derek Stabile scored 46 seconds apart, giving the home-side a 2-0 cushion. Nick Heins cut the lead in half for Sudbury only to see Tyler Huskey restore the two-goal lead late in the period for Northern Michigan.

In the third period, Brendan Biedermann pulled the Wolves to within one goal at 2:27. The Wolves had an opportunity to tie the game a shot time later when the Black Bears found themselves shorthanded two-men for 1:11.

The Bears managed to hold off the Wolves, but not for long as Brodie Wilson floated a wrist shot past a screened Stoehr to tie the game. The Wilson goal, which Stoehr did not react to until it was in the net, set the stage for Cheechoo's heroics in overtime.

Game five in the series is set for Monday night in Sudbury. Should it be needed, game six would be the following night at the Big Bear Arena.

*** NOJHL PLAYOFFS:

SEMI-FINALS

2. SOO THUNDERBIRDS vs. 3. NORTH BAY

(North Bay wins series 4-1)

Game 1 - Fri. Mar. 24 - Soo 7 North Bay 3 Game 2 - Sun. Mar. 26 - North Bay 3 Soo 0 Game 3 - Mon. Mar. 27 - North Bay 2 Soo 1 (OT) Game 4 - Wed. Mar. 29 - North Bay 4 Soo 1 Game 5 - Fri. Mar. 31 - North Bay 3 Soo 2

1. SUDBURY vs. 4. NORTHERN MICHIGAN

(Sudbury leads series 3-1)

Game 1 - Sat. Mar. 25 - Sudbury 5 Northern Michigan 2 Game 2 - Mon. Mar. 27 - Northern Michigan 4 Sudbury 1 Game 3 - Thu. Mar. 30 - Sudbury 2 Northern Michigan 1 Game 4 - Sat. Apr. 1 - Sudbury 4 Northern Michigan 3 (OT) Game 5 - Mon. Apr. 3 - Northern Michigan vs. Sudbury * Game 6 - Tue. Apr. 4 - Sudbury vs. Northern Michigan * Game 7 - Wed. Apr. 5 - Northern Michigan vs. Sudbury

(* = if necessary)

QUARTERFINALS:

2. SOO THUNDERBIRDS vs. 7. MANITOULIN

(Soo wins series 4-1)

Game 1 - Tues. Mar. 14 - Soo 8 Manitoulin 0 Game 2 - Wed. Mar. 15 - Soo 6 Manitoulin 4 Game 3 - Fri. Mar. 17 - Manitoulin 4 Soo 3 Game 4 - Sat. Mar. 18 - Soo 2 Mantoulin 1 Game 5 - Mon. Mar. 20 - Soo 5 Manitoulin 2

3. NORTH BAY vs. 6. ABITIBI

(North Bay wins series 4-1)

Game 1 - Tues. Mar. 14 - North Bay 3 Abitibi 1 Game 2 - Wed. Mar. 15 - North Bay 6 Abitibi 5 (4OT) Game 3 - Fri. Mar. 17 - North Bay 7 Abitibi 2 Game 4 - Sat. Mar. 18 - Abitibi 4 North Bay 0 Game 5 - Tues. Mar. 21 - North Bay 5 Abitibi 1

4. NORTHERN MICHIGAN vs. 5. BLIND RIVER

(Northern Michigan wins series 4-0)

Game 1 - Tues. Mar. 14 - Northern Michigan 2 Blind River 1 Game 2 - Thu. Mar. 16 - Northern Michigan 3 Blind River 2 (OT) Game 3 - Sat. Mar. 18 - Northern Michigan 3 Blind River 1 Game 4 - Sun. Mar. 19 - Northern Michigan 4 Blind River 3

1. SUDBURY - bye

***