Maulucci leads T-Birds past Black Bears

Michael Maulucci turned in a 51 save performance to inch the Soo Thunderbirds closer to the Northern Michigan Black Bears.

Backed by the first star performance of Maulucci, the Thunderbirds egded the Black Bears 2-1 on Wednesday night in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action in St. Ignace.

The victory moves the Soo (18-13-2-2) to within five points of Northern Michigan (20-10-3-2) for the lead in the western division while remaining one point behind the Blind River Beavers (19-12-2-1), who blanked the Sudbury Northern Wolves 4-0 on Wednesday, for second place.

In St. Ignace, former Black Bear Chris Towell gave the Thunderbirds a 1-0 lead 6:08 into the second period before sniper John Nogatch tied the game just 2:04 later.

Matt Dias scored the game winner 2:29 after that as Maulucci shut down the Black Bears the rest of the way.

Ryan Maunu and Matt Caria picked up assists for the Thunderbirds while Tony Stoehr stopped 22 of 24 shots in the Northern Michigan net.

The Thunderbirds do not return to NOJHL action until Wednesday, Feb. 9 when they make a return visit to Northern Michigan at 7:30 p.m.

In Sudbury, Thomas Laplante and Jason Wiley scored twice each for the Beavers while Kevin King stopped 31 shots for his second shutout of the year.