PLAYOFF UPDATE: T-Birds gain control of division final

The Soo Thunderbirds are backing the Northern Michigan Black Bears into a corner.

With a 3-1 victory in game two on Tuesday night in St. Ignace, Michigan, the Thunderbirds have taken a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League Western Division championship series.

Mike MacMillan led the Thunderbirds attack with a goal and an assist. Tom Vernelli and Aaron Anderson also scored for the locals.

John Nogatch replied with the lone marker for the Black Bears while the Soo's Jarrett Michaels made 31 saves in net for the win.

The series returns to Sault Ste. Marie for game three on Thursday night at 7 p.m. at the John Rhodes Community Centre. Game four is scheduled for Saturday night in St. Ignace.

The NOJHL Eastern Division final between the North Bay Skyhawks and Sudbury Northern Wolves begins on Wednesday in North Bay.

*** OHL PLAYOFFS:

Second round matchups have been determined in the Ontario Hockey League after an exciting night of game seven action.

Four first round series were stretched to the limit and all four were decided on Tuesday night.

In Toronto, the St. Michael's Majors were able to stave off elimination by defeating the pesky Sudbury Wolves 5-2. Majors' goaltender Justin Peters became the first goaltender to score a goal in the playoffs in ten years with a late empty net marker.

In Guelph, the Storm averted a major upset by beating the Owen Sound Attack 2-1. Daniel Paille's second goal of the game early in the third period proved to be the winner.

In Ottawa, Wojtek Wolski scored twice to power the Brampton Battalion past the 67's while the Mississauga IceDogs handled the Oshawa Generals at home 6-1.

In other first round results, Barrie eliminated Kingston in five games, the London Knights swept the Windsor Spitfires, the Erie Otters knocked off the Sarnia Sting 4-1 and the Plymouth Whalers beat the defending Memorial Cup champion Kitchener Rangers 4-1.

The second round of action will begin on Wednesday night as Erie visits London to open one Western Conference semi-final. Plymouth will visit Guelph to begin their series on Friday.

In the Eastern Conference, Mississauga will visit Barrie for game one on Thursday despite having home ice advantage. Mississauga will host games two, three, five and seven.

The other series matchup between St. Michael's and Brampton begins on Friday in Toronto.