T-Birds fall to Black Bears in season opener

The Northern Michigan Black Bears captured the first installment of the border battle against the Soo Thunderbirds.

Backed by a four goal outburst in the first and second periods, the Black Bears doubled up the Thundrbirds 6-3 at the Big Bear Arena in the Michigan Sault on Wednesday night.

The game marked the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League opener for the Thunderbirds, who make their home debut on Friday against the Blind River Beavers at the John Rhodes Community Centre beginning at 7:30 p.m.

After Mark Thorburn gave the Thunderbirds a 1-0 lead, the Black Bears scored four unanswered goals as Isaac Viau, Michael Herbert, Jake Watchorn and Michael Caprio beat Thunderbirds netminder Michael Maulucci for a 4-1 lead.

Drew Jarrett's second period goal and Thorburn's second of the game in the third cut the Black Bears lead to 4-3 but Watchorn's second of the night and Steve Kruszewski's empty net goal sealed the Northern Michigan victory.

Tony Stoehr took the win in goal for the Black Bears, who outshot the Thunderbirds 40-27.